From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Arewa Youth Assembly has said the fuss generated over the closure of the International Conference Centre (ICC), for repairs by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nyesom Wike, was unnecessary.
Speaker of the Assembly, Mohammed Salihu Danlami, in a statement yesterday said the former handlers of ICC, that is, Integrated Facilities Management Services Ltd (IFMSL), should understand that the decision was in the interest of the country.
Danlami, also said Wike should be commended for ensuring that the FCT wears a good look rather than the barrage of attacks he is getting from different ethnic groups.
He said: “The International Conference Center as it name depicts stands very important for various functions of both domestic and foreign nature.
“It brings convention and exhibition facilities, of a high international standard to the country, attracts foreign investors and host very important occasions such as collation of results by INEC every election period.
“Wike’s only crime is to refuse to allow this important piece, the ICC slide into a deplorable and sorry state, hence all the lies and malicious campaign against him.
“The authors of this script have unknowingly succeed in exposing their selfish and wicked desire to always put themselves above the country. They have continued to display their ignorance and lies by calling Wike all sort of names that never matches his description.
“How can Wike be a tribal or an ethnic bigot when as a Christian from the South he supported the Muslim-Muslim ticket, a PDP member who is serving under the Present APC administration, truly, Wike is a detribalized Nigerian.”
He added: “As it stands now, all the six Area Councils are feeling his impact. Thanks to Wike. Abuja is wearing a new face in all aspects viza viz: transportation, Health, Organisation, infrastructure and most importantly Security.
“His agenda is to transform Abuja in accordance with the renewed hope agenda, to deliver on the promises made to Nigerians. Wike should be commended not the other way around.
“The true unpatriotic, ethnic and tribal bigots are those who are coercing Nigerians into believing lies and deception, those who are interested in making a fortune at the detriment of the sweat and blood of Nigerians.
“We call on Nigerians to continue to give their unwavering and undiluted support to the Honourable Minister, to help him actualize the return of Abuja’s Master plan and transform it to a London in Africa.”