A former National President, Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, YOWICAN, Mr Daniel Kadzai has slammed a popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and other Northerners criticising the appointment of former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike as the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
According to report, Wike was among the 45 ministers sworn in by President Bola Tinubu at the presidential villa, Abuja.
Following his inauguration, Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi in a viral video, described Wike as a hater of Northern Nigeria and an infidel.
Reacting, Kadzai said that Nigerians must uphold the principle that the country belongs to all its citizens, regardless of religious, ethnic, or political affiliations.
He maintained that the unity and cooperation among all regions were crucial to the nation’s progress and development.
He told newsmen, “the appointment of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation from Benue State, Tiv particularly, a minority tribe, is a big plus to the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“The election or appointment of another person from the South South, who happens to be the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Godswill Akpabio, is another big plus.
“It shows that the South South has not been forgotten. I was so surprised that when this man was campaigning some people imputed issues of religious sentiment in the polity.
“I see 21st century Nigerians as looking for the progress of this nation. We should be able to come together because disaster, if it occurred, will not spare an Igbo man, Hausa man or Yoruba man.
“It comes to all of us. Some people are castigating Mr. President for appointing the minister of FCT from Rivers State. This man is a Nigerian. I recall when there was a fire outbreak in Sokoto.
“He visited the state and gave them N500 million, not minding whether they were Muslims or Christians. It is a disaster for Nigeria and Nigerians that this same man is being castigated and called infidel because he’s appointed the FCT minister. God forbid that we have this mentality in this 21st century.
“Are we talking about religion or how to salvage the nation? The ministers should serve Nigerians. They’re there to serve Nigerians, not to enrich themselves, not for their states, local governments or tribes.
“Since after Jeremiah Useni, we’ve not had a Christian as the FCT minister. Calling Wike out and saying that Bola Tinubu gave Abuja to an infidel is provocative and inciting. It is the height of arrogance. As a matter of fact, who are the majority in Abuja?
“The Gbagyis [real owners of Abuja], are they Christians or Muslims? Two-third of the investments in Abuja belong to the Igbos.
“So, who is this demon that is trying to create a problem? I became so angry when I saw the story. We can’t continue like this.
“As a leader, you don’t come out to speak anyhow. How will someone come out to say that giving an Igbo man, Wike Abuja is like giving Abuja to an infidel?”