Patrick Anum, an activist, has criticized an unnamed Imam based in Abuja for saying the minister in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) must be a Muslim.
The video of the Imam commenting on the FCT ministerial position has gone viral on social media.
Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers State, was appointed the FCT minister by President Bola Tinubu.
Wike is the second Southerner and the third Christian to occupy the position in Nigeria.
Anum said:
”These imams are enraged that the FCT ministerial position was given to an infidel. They are laying claim to the minister of FCT seat.
”Let’s make this clear! Nigeria is a federation, and the FCT seat can be given to anyone (but if anyone should feel entitled to it, it should be the natives of the FCT) who cannot elect state governors, not entitled regional fanatics who think that the colonial Northern protectorate as drawn by the British still belongs to them.
”Even in 2023, when it is quite clear that the people in these regions do not want to identify with them. But the biggest question in all this is, the Gbagyi trace their ancestry to the Nok civilization, which existed before the Hausa, Fulani, or Kanuri existed.”
“So on what basis are they laying claims or feeling entitled to positions on Gbagyi land? 1804 Jihad? Northern Protectorate formation by the British? Because I am genuinely confused.”
Meanwhile, Wike has vowed to return Abuja back to its original master plan.
The new FCT minister made the vow while addressing journalists hours after he was sworn in to oversee the Nigerian capital.
