Coalition of 124 CSOs endorses Wike’s actions as FCT minister, condemns call for his sack
The Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, a coalition of 124 civil society organisations, commended the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike in Abuja on Thursday on his efforts to resuscitate the Abuja master plan.
It declared in a statement that Wike’s actions as minister so far were in tandem with the law and would reverse previous trend of mutilating the master plan.
It stressed that orchestrated attacks on Wike and calls to sack him were unwarranted.
The statement was signed by Dr Nwambu Gabriel, the coalition’s director-general and Mr Mohammed Sadiq, its secretary.
It condemned Tuesday’s protest in Abuja where a group called for the sack of Wike as FCT minister.
“On Dec. 5, we saw some people who paraded themselves as civil society organisations under the aegis of Network of Civil Society for Economic Sustainability.
“They engaged in a protest chanting: “Wike Must Go’’ in the Central Area of the FCT.
“The FCT and its land acquisition processes had been submerged in corruption in the past.
“It was making the nation to lose trillions of naira in terms of revenue. This is exactly what Wike is reversing in the FCT.
“Wike, as minister of the FCT is insisting on the FCT master plan,’’ the coalition stated.
It noted that sadly, corruption was fighting back as beneficiaries of the corruption of the past were fighting back through their proxies by funding demonstrations against Wike.
The statement noted that the fact that the Dec. 5 demonstrators referred to already-settled political upheavals in Rivers where Wike was the immediate past governor confirmed that the protesters were sponsored.
“We advise the perpetrators of this dastardly act to desist forthwith.
“We as a coalition of more than 124 civil society and non-governmental organisations hereby pass a vote of confidence in Wike.
“As the minister of the FCT, his actions are consistent with the FCT master plan and the extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’’ it added.
The coalition enjoined the minister to remain focused; undaunted and to continue to exhibit quality service delivery to the Nigerian nation.
