- Pix above(l-r): Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi and Ezenwo Nyesom Wike
SHARE THIS
Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, is presently spoiling for war with Northern cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, over his recent request for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, one of its own, or face the wrath of the region which could lead to it dumping the president in the nation’s political equation.
–L-R: Gumi and PBAT
The State Online reports that Gumi, a prominent Islamic cleric had urged President Bola Tinubu to remove Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), failure of which could lead to the North not, again, be on the same page with the president.
But PANDEF, in a statement on Sunday, noted that Gumi was out of tune or better still, beating about the bush, to have made such a call.
The group reminded him that what the country needed right now should be how to foster peace and unity and not divisive posturing.
The statement which was signed by Dr. Ken Robinson, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, reads inter alia: “It is most unfortunate that, at a time when every well-meaning Nigerian should be concerned about the stability, peace, and unity of the country, the likes of Sheikh Gumi are further stoking the embers of discord, certainly, intended to exacerbate tension in the country. It’s utterly despicable that a so-called Cleric would fashion himself into a shameless promoter of parochialism and acrimony.
“We consider the call for the removal of Chief Nyesom Wike as Minister of FCT, and indeed, any other Niger Deltan, based on wild predispositions, as an indirect poke at the people of the Niger Delta region, and the South-South Geopolitical Zone, in particular, to catechize our stake in the Nigerian State.
“Perhaps, it is necessary to underscore some unadorned facts Sheikh Gumi is pretending to overlook; Abuja is the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria and not a sectional capital; more so, it (FCT) was developed and continues to be developed with, mainly, the oil and gas resources of the Niger Delta region, where Nyesom Wike comes from.
“It is commonly known that crude oil was swapped instead of payment to contractors in building the infrastructure in Abuja, including the Aso Rock Villa. At that time, no one talked of Abuja belonging to any particular ethnic group.
“In fact, from the administration of Shehu Shagari up until the General Babangida regime, the federal government encouraged all citizens, no matter where they come from, to acquire and develop property in the Federal Capital Territory, because Abuja belongs to all Nigerians.
“Suffice it to state that any Nigerian; from the North, South, East, or West, could and should, be appointed to serve as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Remarkably, Nyesom Wike is the 17th Minister of the FCT, but only the second Southerner to be appointed in 47 years, since the creation of the FCT
The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) is led by well-respected Niger Delta politician and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark./SHARE THIS
- Tags: Sheik Gumi, Dr. Ken Robinson, Chief Edwin Clark, Nyesom Wike, FCT, PBAT
