Wike Berates Shekarau’s Comment – TheNigerialawyer

The Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike has carpeted the former
governor of Kano state, Ibrahim Shekarau over his comments on the
alleged demolition of the Rainbow Town mosque in Trans-Amadi area
of Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Shekarau, had in a statement on Thursday condemned the alleged
demolition of the mosque and wondered why the Rivers state
government would take such actions in a secular country like
Nigeria.

In the statement personally signed by him, the former Kano State
governor was much more perturbed by the declaration of Rivers State
as a complete Christian state by Wike.

In his reaction, Wike noted that as a governor of Kano State,
Shekarau introduced Sharia law and officially made the state a
Muslim State. This action, according to Wike, was premised on the
fact that over 95 per cent of Kano people are Muslims, adding that
the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo did not stop him neither
did Nigerians question his decision.

Speaking through his Aide on electronics media, Simeone Nwakaudu
in an article, Governor Wike recalled, “In 2008, Kano State
Government under the leadership of Ibrahim Shekarau demolished
Christ the King Catholic Church.

“The Kano State Urban Planning Development Agency (KANUPDA)
demolished the Church because the Church lacked Certificate of
Occupancy. Shekarau’s Administration said the structure of the
church at Na’ibawa in Kumbotso local government was removed, after
serving them a notice, advising them to prove its legitimacy or
removed the church.

“In November 2003, Shekarau sworn-in Hisbah, Zakkat, Sharia
Commission Members to consolidate his declaration that Kano is a
Muslim State. The establishments’ members were sworn-in at Sani
Abacha Stadium after a bill was passed into law by the State House
of Assembly for the creation of the establishments.

These were agencies of Kano State that promoted one religion to
the detriment of others,” the article read in part.

He went further to recall that Shekarau compelled all Christian
girls in his State to wear Hijab.

“Those who refused to wear hijab under the leadership of
Shekarau were asked to withdraw and leave Kano State. He burnt
books believed not to promote the Islamic religion”.

Wike stressed that his declaration that Rivers is a Christian
State is a statement of fact, adding that well over 98 per cent of
the indigenous population are Christians. He promised to continue
to promote religious freedom and tolerance in the state.