Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has said that individuals who exploit emotions through religion do so to dubiously gain political advantages.
Wike said this while refuting reports that his administration was promoting policies that are against Islam.
The Minister had received a courtesy visit from the members of the Abuja National Mosque Management Committee, with its Chairman, the Etsu of Nupe, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.
He stated further that he had no reason to instigate hate speech against any religious groups but to support any that has a genuine cause.
He said, “No government will hesitate to support the maintenance of a National Monument, be it for Christians or Muslims.”
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In his remarks, the Etsu Nupe urged the Minister to support the maintenance project of the National Mosque, which he disclosed had been stalled for some time now.
He also pleaded with the Minister to grant the Committee more time to develop plots of land allocated to it by FCTA.
*Extends deadline for Abuja Mosque, Christian Centre to pay ground rent
Meanwhile, Wike has graciously approved the extension of the deadline for the Abuja National Mosque and the National Christian Centre, Abuja to pay their ground rents.
The Minister disclosed this when he received in a courtesy visit, members of the Abuja National Mosque Management Committee, led by its Chairman, the Etsu of Nupe, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.
While assuring that FCT will not hesitate to support the maintenance of the National Mosque, or the National Ecumenical Centre, having been declared as a national monument, he also called on religious leaders to preach national unity and peaceful coexistence.
Wike said, as religious organisations, they live on charity so he graciously extended the deadline for payment of their ground rents.
Recall that the FCT Administration three weeks ago published names of organisations that are owing ground rents and threatened to revoke such allocations if payments were not made.
