Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has described as unfortunate the false Information being circulated that the state government demolished a mosque in Port Harcourt.
A statement by the governor’s special assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, quoted the governor as saying so while addressing journalists at the location on Biambo Street Off, School Road by Mami Market Junction, near Rainbow Estate on Monday.
According to the governor, the false report is, therefore, planted by mischief makers to create disaffection.
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He said: “I received calls from several prominent Nigerians on the fake news being circulated online. I am here with reporters and you can see there was no Mosque here.
“It is most unfortunate that fickle-minded persons will claim that a Mosque was demolished at this place, when no Mosque existed here.
“The story was concocted by mischief makers to score cheap points,” Mr Wike stressed.
Mr Wike, however, explained that some persons started erecting illegal foundation at the disputed land, even though they had no approval to embark on any construction work.
“They came here to erect illegal structure. There was no approval from the State Government for any structure to be erected here.
“The persons who started the foundation had already dragged the State Government to court on the disputed land.
“The Rivers State Government won the case. What they attempted to do was to start the illegal construction to tie the hands of the State Government,” he said.
The governor, therefore, urged the Muslim Community in the state to show him where a Mosque was demolished in the State.
He advised them not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to peddle false stories against the state government.
Mr Wike said that the state government operated within the rule of law, adding that the state government would not be distracted by the illegal circulation of fake reports.
He stated that several Mosques constructed on the approval of the State Government exist across Port Harcourt and other major towns of Rivers State, without the State Government demolishing them.
“The government gave them notice not to do anything on the land. But they went ahead with the illegal foundation and the relevant agency stopped them.
“Why would we want to bring down any Mosque, when there are other Mosques across the State? What is the Special interest on this one?,” Mr Wike queried.
