Asari Dokubo, leader of the Niger
Delta Peoples Salvation Force (NDPSF), has accused Nyesom Wike, governor of
Rivers, of lying about the demolition of a mosque in the state.
Asari said he and his family
worship at the mosque located at Trans-Amadi in Port Harcourt, and that the
property was legally acquired.
The governor had denied
demolishing the mosque, saying there was no building on the site at the time of
the clearance exercise.
“It is most unfortunate that
fickle minded persons will claim that a mosque was demolished at this place,
when no mosque existed here. The story was concocted by mischief makers to
score cheap points,” he said.
But Asari said Wike is lying, and
asked why he carried out a demolition exercise on the site if there was no
mosque in the location. He also said many Rivers citizens are members of the
Trans-Amadi mosque congregation.
”I have been down for eight days
which makes it difficult for me to talk on the issues that are trending now;
one of the issues is concerning the dastardly act carried out by the governor
of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, in demolishing my mosque,” he said.
”I am a member of the
congregation of the Trans-Amadi central mosque. That is where I pray with my
family. I, alone, have 21 children and I live with 59 other children. They are
on holiday. The bulk of them pray. Fortunately, they are in my village, Ogbama
with me.
”The debate continues to drag on.
Wike claiming there was no mosque; I will say that is a lie. He is lying. And
you know, Wike you are lying. if there is no mosque why did you go there? We
legally acquired the land for the mosque like other groups there. we acquired
it from Dr Sotonye Amadi; a christian group acquired part of that land and they
have built their churches, why did you and your brother, Rotimi Amaechi single
out our mosque to demolish and to prevent us from building?
”The person who acquired the land
for the mosque is an Ijaw man, an Okrika, Ijaw man. This land was acquired
legally. Why is this mosque a problem to you?
”Rivers state members are active
members of that mosque. What offence have we committed against our motherland
that you will dictate to us what religion to follow. There are some of you that are Ogboni
members; has Ogboni any relationship with Rivers state? you used our money to
build a Christian interdenominational centre.
”There is nothing you can do to
stop us from being Muslims. You take our money to sponsor Tambuwal. You say you
are the governor of all Rivers people; you should examine yourself. You take on
weak opponents, but bow before the enemy.
”We are Rivers Muslims. There is
nothing you can do about it. You will look at us and get a heart-attack. In the
next three years you will be out of government house.
”And people are praising you
because you said Rivers state is a Christian state. It will never be a
Christian state. You not even a Christian. I don”t now which of you is a
Christian.
”Islam is bigger than you.”
Other Nigerians have protested
against the action of the state government. Ibrahim Shekarau, former Kano state
governor, wrote an open letter on the issue, accusing Wike of attempting to
truncate the nation’s democracy.
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