Rivers Govt Did not Demolish any Mosque, Says Wike …Insists report was planted to cause disaffection

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has stated that the state government did not demolish any mosque in the state as claimed by an online report.

The governor described as unfortunate the “false information being circulated that the state government demolished a Mosque in Port Harcourt, the state capital,” saying the ‘false’ report was planted by mischief makers to create disaffection.

Addressing journalists at the location where the report claimed the mosque was demolished in Biambo Street off School Road by Mami Market Junction near Rainbow Estate in Port Harcourt yesterday, Wike said there was no mosque on ground, hence nothing was demolished.

According to the governor, "I received calls from several prominent Nigerians on the fake news being circulated online. I have come here with journalists, and you can see clearly that there was no mosque here.

"It is most unfortunate that fickle-minded persons would 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.”

Wike 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 urged the Muslim community in the state to show him where a mosque was demolished in the state, advising them not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to peddle false stories against the state government.

He said the state government always operates within the rule of law, and that it would not be distracted by the illegal circulation of ‘fake’ reports.

The governor stated that several mosques constructed on the approval of the state government exist across Port Harcourt and other major towns of the state, and the state government has not demolished them.

He added: "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 several mosques across the state? What is the special interest in this one?” he queried.