The controversy surrounding Trans Amadi mosque demolished by Rivers State Government has continued to generate mixed reactions across the strata of the country. The recent was from former Kano State Governor and serving Senator Representing Kano Central Senatorial zone, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau who slammed Newsom Wike for allegedly demolishing Mosque in the state, describing the action as barbaric and totally condemnable.
In the statement personally signed by Shekarau on Friday 30th August, 2019, he called on all rationale and conscious citizens of this country to join in condemning the 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 also claiming to owe no apology to anyone.” Shekarau opined.
The former Governor also urged all Muslims and other right-thinking and peace-loving citizens of this country to come together to condemn, in strongest terms, this irresponsible, reckless, rabble-rousing Governor whose apparent aim is to ignite a religious conflagration, the kind of which has never been seen in recent times.
Shekarau further adverted that 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,” Shekarau lamented.
The former Governor reiterated that Nigeria belongs to all, and no state in Nigeria could claim to be mono religious.
It only takes a responsible leadership to carry everybody along.
He gave instance as "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.”
Again, Shekarau advanced his assertion by recalling that “these Christian leaders are 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.” According to Shekarau.
He ended his lamentations by identifying some notable Muslims who hailed from Rivers state as “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 Abdul’aziz 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.” Shekarau ended.