Mosque Demolition: Wike’s Condemnable Behaviour-Shekarau

A federal lawmaker, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau on Thursday joined millions of people, to condemned  Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike for recklessly demolishing the Rainbow Town Central Mosque located at the Trans-Amadi Area of Port Harcourt, and for irresponsibly declaring Rivers State a “Christian State,” and claiming to owe no apology to anyone.

Ibrahim Shekarau, Senator representing Kano Central at the National Assembly and former Kano State Governor, said Muslims and other right-thinking and peace-loving citizens of Nigeria should condemn, in strongest terms, Governor Wike apparent aim of igniting religious conflagration, the kind of which has never been seen in recent times.

According to a statement obtained by Solacebase on Thursday, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau said if a Muslim Governor were to come out openly and declare his state a “Muslim State” and proceed to demolish a church for any reason, all hell would have since broken loose in Nigeria, and sections of the Christian community would have since rushed to the “international community” and even the United Nations seeking protection against Muslims.

‘’The action of Governor Wike is a pointer to his being induced by other than rationale brain waves, as no leader in his right senses would contemplate stoking these embers of discord in a country so religiously, ethnically and regionally charged as Nigeria, ‘’said the statement.

‘’Nigeria belongs to all, and no state in the country could claim to be mono religious. It only takes a responsible leadership to carry everybody along. When I held sway as governor of Kano State between 2003 and 2011, we encouraged and guided the people to lead their lives according to the tenets of Islamic Law (Shari’ah).

‘’But we neither became power-drunk to demolish Churches nor disregarded the provisions of section 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to declare Kano an Islamic State. Our fair dealings with every section of the community earned us commendation, even from Kano State Chapter and National Body of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), at different occasions.’’

‘’These Christian leaders are a still alive today to attest to my claim. It may interest Wike to learn that Mr. Tala Ilo from Bayelsa State and Mr. Chris Chibuzor Azuka from Anambra State, (both, born-again Christians) were special advisers in my administration.’’

Wike’s claim that Rivers is a Christian State is pathological. It suggests that not only are the people of Rivers State 100% Christians, but Muslims and adherents of other religions from other parts of Nigeria cannot make Rivers State their home.

Senator Ibrahim Shekarau said also it insinuates that Rivers State operates a government, a constitution of its own, different from the Nigerian Nation.

It means Rivers State does not recognize or protect the interests of people like Alabo Mujahid Dokubo Asari, Alhaji Isa Boaima, Alhaji Sani Okiri, Alhaji Ahmed Sani Pe, Alhaji Abdulaziz Pepple, Alhaji Sulaiman Akani, Alhaji Ibrahim Orlu, Alhaji Musa Brown, Chief Hassan Douglas and Alhaji Mustapha Wakama who are all Muslims and productive citizens of Rivers State.

The statement noted that these actions and utterances of the Rivers Governor manifest the highest forms of irresponsibility by a so-called elected official in this polity. It is an attempt to truncate this nation’s democracy. It is a serious security threat.

It, therefore, called on the Federal Government and all security agencies to call Governor Wike to order and to hold him responsible for any breach of the peace that his actions and utterances could cause in this country.

The statement also appealed to the Muslim community in Rivers State and throughout Nigeria to remain calm and law-abiding.

‘’Let us not copy Wike’s despicable attitude and unruly behavior. Unlike him, other Christians are fair-headed and peace loving. Let us not lose our sense of decency, as two wrongs do not make a right.’’

‘’We shall, however, encourage Rivers State Muslim Community to be firm and focused; to pursue their constitutional right in the court of law as they did and won their cases in the past. This time, they will demand the rebuilding of Trans-Amadi Mosque and the payment of compensation. They will also demand Governor Nyesom Wike to unreservedly apologize to Nigerians.’’