The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has cleared the air on a trending publication in a section of the media space claiming that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has ordered partial demolition of the National Mosque.

The authority made the rebuttal in a statement signed by its Head, Public Relations/Information, Richard Nduul, in Abuja, Thursday.

Parts of the statement read: “The attention of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has been drawn to an online news story that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has given the Executive Secretary, Engr. Shehu Hadi-Ahmad, 24 hours to explain the government’s position concerning the partial demolition of the National Mosque.

“The FCDA wishes to state unequivocally that as far as it is concerned, the news is fake or at best a mixed up by the reporter,” the statement said.

“There was no time whatsoever that the Minister of the FCT directed for the demolition of the National Mosque nor did the Executive Secretary receive any directive pertaining to the demolition of the National Mosque,” it said.

The statement explained that members of the National Mosque Management Committee led by the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, visited the Minister on Wednesday, during which the Chairman appealed for more time to develop the two plots of land allocated to the National Mosque by the FCT Administration.

“One of which (plot 63) is substantially affected by a future road development – the Inner Northern Expressway (INEX) and for which an alternative or replacement is being awaited,” the statement added.

“This is in view of the recent revocation of land title allocations, which have remained undeveloped over time,” it said.

“It was in the light of the above, therefore, that Wike who at the time was yet to be briefed on the development, directed Ahmad, to immediately brief him within 24hours on the issue of the National Mosque Lands,” the statement stated.

“It is pertinent to state that the Minister’s directive on the status of the lands allocated to the National Mosque, was contrary to what the reporter portrays as the demolition of the National Mosque,” it explained.

The statement added that as a further demonstration of good faith, the Minister assured the delegation of the support of the FCT Administration in the maintenance of the National Mosque, including the National Christian Center, which are all National Monuments.

It added: “The above explanation is the true and correct reflection of what actually transpired, and this could also be further confirmed from the National Mosque Management Board.”

“It is, therefore, hoped that this explanation will bring a closure to the so-called National Mosque demolition fallacy,” the statement concluded.

Wike should ignore distractions and keep the good works coming.

Gumi is not happy that FCT has a Southern Minister.

But the Minister for Lagos during the 1st republic were Yar'Adua and Ribadu before him.

Lol!

Even Portable knows when to keep quiet.

Even mad men in Southeast know that Mondays are sit at home and they respect themselves and sit wherever.

So, even Wike, with his coarse voice, knows the boundaries not to cross.

He demolish markets, parks, people’s mansions, even the Christian center, but the National Mosque?

Dem no born am well to even contemplate it.

Agbado fools what do you think?