Wike’s Outbursts Could Trigger Hate-Crimes Against Muslims, Says NSCIA

Moshood Aliyu

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA is worried over persistent anti-Muslim rhetoric by the Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike.

According to the Nigeria’s Islamic council, Gov Wike’s unguarded and provocative utterances has become a source of grave.

A statement posted on the official Facebook of the council reads, “Our attention was first drawn to Gov Wike’s vituperation on Sunday, January 29, 2017, during the Holy Ghost Rally by the Redeem Christian Church of God, Region 5 in Port Harcourt.

During the event, Gov Wike boasted that Rivers State is 100% Christian state and that he does not owe anybody any apologies.
Again, during the hand over of the over N300 million Ecumenical Center built with the common wealth of the state to CAN, on the 28th of May 2017, Gov Wike again reiterated that Rivers State is a Christian state and that he does not owe any body any apologies.

Similarly, during a courtesy call on him by the Ministers Prayers Network International in Port Harcourt on the 17th of January 2018 at the Govt House, Gov Wike once again stated for the umpteenth time that Rivers State is a Christian state and that he does not owe anybody any apologies.”

It stated further “Just last week while attending an event organized by the Lord,s Chosen Charismatic Church in Rivers state, Gov Wike again boosted that the state is 100% Christian state.

The Council is worried that these utterances by Gov Wike could play into the hands of radical Christian Clerics and trigger hate-crimes against Muslims in the state and beyond.
No state in Nigeria is religiously monolithic. These comments are divisive, Islamophobic, undemocratic, unconstitutional and to a large extent constitutes hate speech.

In the same vein, Council condemns the conspiracy of silence by the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, in the state.”

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