The Abuja National Mosque Management Board has vehemently denied reports suggesting that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ordered a partial demolition of the National Mosque.
Haliu Shuaib, the board’s Director of Finance and Administration, refuted these claims during a press conference in Abuja.
According to Shuaib, there were unconfirmed reports circulating that Wike had ordered the partial demolition of the mosque during a meeting with the Abuja mosque management committee. The committee had sought clarification from the minister regarding the status of plots 63 and 99 allocated to the mosque. The visit followed the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s three-month grace period, urging owners of undeveloped plots to either develop the land or face certification revocation.
Shuaib clarified that the reports were baseless and were causing unnecessary tension within the Muslim community. He explained that during the meeting, discussions were constructive and cordial. The chairman of the Abuja National Mosque Management Board briefed Wike on the development of Plot 99, assuring the minister that the plot was receiving serious attention.
Regarding Plot 63, opposite Yar’adua Centre, Shuaib stated that the chairman informed Wike about a substantial part of the plot being consumed by the proposed Inner Northern Expressway. The chairman requested the status of the plot and asked for the remaining portion to be re-allocated. The minister responded positively to this request.
Additionally, the chairman appealed to Wike for assistance in completing the renovation of the National Mosque. Wike promised to address the issue. The National Mosque emphasized that at no point did the minister mention the demolition of any part of the mosque. The mosque management urged the public to disregard the misinformation circulating on social and print media.
