Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has called on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Committee of FCT Imams Initiative (CFII) to be careful with ambitious politicians.
Wike gave the advice yesterday in Abuja when the executive members of CAN led by its national president, Most Rev. Daniel Okoh and the committee of Imams led by the chairman, Imam Tajudeen Adegun visited him.
The minister, who spoke during a separate meeting with the religious leaders, explained that politicians who were desperate for power could do anything to divide the country for their selfish interests.
In a meeting with CAN, he said, “Let me advise all of us. You say you are not politicians but be careful about politicians. Be careful with politicians who are so desperate to get power.
“Be careful with politicians who can do anything just because of power. Is not everything you read on social media that is correct? Go and ask questions.
“I am seated here as the minister of FCT, if there is anything you here that the FCT is trying to do, do not hesitate – just like you wrote for this courtesy call – do not hesitate to also ask. This thing I am hearing, is it correct? So that we will be able to defend the government and defend ourselves.
“There are those who could not face us in the political scene, what they do is to run back to religious leaders and say, do you know this man? He hates you. If not, he wouldn’t have done this; he would not have done that, and you would fall into the trap,” he warned.
Speaking with the Committee of FCT Imams Initiative, the minister advised them to be wary of politicians who were not lovers of the country, but angels of disunity and causing divisions where there was no division.
“You have to be careful as religious leaders, do not allow politicians, those who are desperate, and those who think if they are not in power, Nigeria must come down to sell or distort information,” he said, urging them to always ask questions before taking any action and pray for the leadership of the country.
Wike said once a leader emerges after an election, people should leave their personal views and pray for the leaders to succeed so that the country will succeed.
“God has voted a president for this country, pray for him to succeed. Harsh decisions are being taken to address the wrong way things have been done. This is not the time to criticise, but to help Nigeria to grow,” he said.
The minister promised that the FCT administration would continue to support the National Christian Centre and the National Mosque, which he described as national assets.
“Anything you are not clear about, do not hesitate to ask, this is what you heard, what is the position? But if you follow propaganda by political leaders then you are not doing anything meaningful to yourself.
“Politics is over; a president has emerged. It is for you the leaders to now pray for God to guide the president, give him the wisdom, and bring out ideas on how the nation will grow. If he fails, Nigerians have failed,” he said.
Earlier, CAN president, Okoh, said the leadership of the Christian association was in his office to declare full support for the Wike-led administration and pray for him to succeed.
He reiterated CAN’s commitment to continue to engage stakeholders and promote social cohesion, appealing to the minister to award the contract for the second phase of the rehabilitation of the centre, adding that phase one had been concluded in May 2023.
Also, the chairman of CFII, Adegun, who described Wike as a true Nigerian, pledged his organisation’s support and advice for the growth, development, and unity of FCT.
