‘Stop Promoting Discord’ — Wike Warns MURIC Director

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has responded to recent comments by the Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Prof. Ishaq Akintola, by urging him to refrain from actions that could incite religious tensions in the country.

Wike, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, on Tuesday, called on Akintola to prioritise on propagating Islam and promoting peace among Nigerians.

The minister’s reaction followed statements made by Akintola regarding the suspension of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Executive Secretary, Engr. Shehu Ahmad Hadi.

Akintola had asked Wike to reinstate the suspended Executive Secretary or state the reason behind his suspension.

He wondered if the FCT minister was not acting like another Louis XIV, saying he appears to have become too powerful while some of his actions seem to have been arbitrary.

Responding, Olayinka said that the suspension was devoid of any religious undertones and that the FCT administration under Wike does not operate on the basis of religion.

Olayinka described Prof. Akintola’s comments as unhelpful, stressing that linking the suspension to religious motives undermines efforts to maintain religious harmony in Nigeria.

“The suspended FCTA Executive Secretary was not appointed as a Muslim, and anyone trying to cover his suspension with the garment of religion will be doing a disservice to religious harmony in the country,” Olayinka said.

He further clarified that appointments and suspensions in public service are administrative decisions, which do not require public explanations.

“Just as it is not obligatory for he who appoints to give reasons for appointing, it will also not be obligatory for he who suspends to tell the public reasons for suspending as long as the person suspended knows why he was suspended. Most importantly, the position of the FCDA Executive Secretary is not a family chieftaincy title, and the business of the office once occupied by Engr. Shehu Ahmad Hadi is running perfectly,” he added.

Olayinka noted that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) thought obedience to authorities, even in unfavorable circumstances.

Olayinka Cited the hadith narrated by Abu Huraira, he said, “It is obligatory for you to listen to the ruler and obey him in adversity and prosperity, in pleasure and displeasure, and even when another person is given (rather undue) preference over you.”

He urged Prof. Akintola to counsel Engr. Hadi to accept his suspension with faith, rather than using it as a basis for religious agitation or fueling media attacks against the FCT Minister.

Olayinka further warned against actions that could fan the embers of discord, and stressed that Nigeria’s diversity should be a strength rather than a source of division.

‘Stop Promoting Discord’ — Wike Warns MURIC Director is first published on The Whistler Newspaper