By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has urged religious leaders to steer clear of desperate politicians in country.
He urged the clerics to always pray for Nigerian leaders to succeed, saying there would not be a country if the leaders fail in their responsibilities
Wike stated this during separate visits by the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its National President, Daniel Okoh and the committee of FCT Imams led by the Chairman, Tajudeen Adegun in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said politicians who were desperate for power can do anything to divide the country for their selfish interest.
“We should be careful of politicians that are so desperate to get power, as religious leaders we should always pray for our leaders to succeed.
“There must be a country before we talk about working together, all of us must know that the success of Nigeria is key, the existence of Nigeria is key, I am not FCT Minister to look at any ethnic group and religious body but to see to the unity of Nigeria and the development of FCT, so I will not be intimated by anybody or group. I will only work for the interest of all Nigerians.
“There is no way you will be in governance that people will not abuse you, there is no way you will be in governance that you won’t step on toes, if you don’t want people to abuse or carry rumour about you don’t be a politician.part of the job is to receive all insults.
“Whether we like it or not, a leader has emerged for the country, we should pray for him to succeed, if the president succeed the country will succeed but if he fails the country has failed, at the end of the day who will suffer?
“The religious leaders position is very important, when you climb the pulpit what you say matters a lot, you are highly respected because of the position you occupy, so we must be careful with the kind of things will preach”.
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”.
He promised to visit the two national monuments to see the state of the rehabilitation to determine the nature of assistance that would be directed to the two bodies.
“We will continue to support the National Mosque and the National Christian Centre,” Wike assured CAN.
The minister also told the CFII 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, don’t 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.
“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”
Wike pledged renewed partnership with the group and carried them along, particularly on issues that concerned them.
In his remarks, Okoh said the CAN leadership was in his office to declare full support to the Wike-led administration and pray for him to succeed.
He reiterated CAN’s commitment to continue to engage stakeholders and promote social cohesion.
Okoh also appealed 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.
Similarly, the chairman of CFII, Adegun, who described Wike as a true Nigerian, pledged the initiative’s support and advice for the growth, development, and unity in FCT.
