Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has described as unnecessary the media hyped about the purported demolition of a mosque at rainbow town in Rivers state.
Governor Fayemi told journalists after joining the Rivers State governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to assess the disputed land at Rainbow Town in Port Harcourt on Sunday that there was no evidence to show that a building like a mosque ever existed on the land
He said the assessment visit became necessary in order to find an end to the controversy over the allegation and he put a call across to governor Wike before coming.
Fayemi noted the explanation provided by the Rivers State Governor about the history of the disputed land which started during the Amaechi Administration and the court case is already at the appeal stage.
While saying the land controversy is a storm in a tea Cup because the media hype was grossly unwarranted, governor Fayemi plead with governor Wike to oblige the Moslems should they come to him to ask for another land.
He acknowledged that the Rivers state governor had respected the Moslem community that seeking redress in court already but stated that nobody can be allowed to build on a sewer because he will not tolerate it in his state as a governor.
On his part, Governor Wike appreciated the visit of the Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum saying it tells of good leadership desirous to confirmed rumour that has been peddled.
Now, the true position has been established, he said, because there was never a Mosque on the disputed land.
According to governor Wike, it was not possible that he will see an existing mosque and still go ahead to direct the Ministry of Urban Development to demolish it.
He said the best to do in such circumstance was to invite the leadership of the Moslem community for talk over the need to consider an alternative land .
While thanking the chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum for the visit, Governor Wike expressed readiness of the state government to give an alternative place to the Muslim Community if that becomes their desire.
Governor Wike said there was no need for people to create discord among the different religious groups because everybody worship the same God.