‘He’s a Nigerian’ — CAN youth leader backs Tinubu on appointment of Wike as FCT minister

Daniel Kadzai, former national president of the youth wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), has asked President Bola Tinubu to ignore those criticising his choice of ministers.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Kadzai, who is the chairperson of the Interfaith Coalition Conference and national youth leader of the Congress of Northern Nigeria Christians, said Tinubu formed his cabinet fairly.

Kadzai was reacting to criticism expressed by some Islamic clerics towards Tinubu’s appointment of Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers, as the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

He said the country belongs to all Nigerians irrespective of religious, ethnic, or political background.

“I want to congratulate Nigerians for having a government that is introducing dialogue in the process of selection and appointments,” Kadzai said.

“Nigeria is recognised as a secular state. I don’t see people coming out to protest against appointments, elections and recruitment based on religion or attacking people based on ethnicity.

“I see 21st century Nigerians as looking for the progress of this nation. We should be able to come together because disaster if it occurs, will not spare an Igbo man, Hausa man or Yoruba man. It comes to all of us.

“Some people are castigating Mr President for appointing the minister of FCT from Rivers state.

“This man is a Nigerian. I recall when there was a fire outbreak in Sokoto. He visited the state and gave them N500 million, not minding whether they were Muslims or Christians.

“Are we talking about religion or how to salvage the nation? The ministers should serve Nigerians. They’re there to serve Nigerians. Not to enrich themselves. Not for their states, local governments or tribes.

“One good thing is the fact that Wike has been appointed as the FCT minister. I don’t have a problem with that because the country is our own. All of us.”

Kadzai commended Tinubu for making “unprecedented efforts in bringing all factions of the people from diverse parts of Nigeria together” irrespective of tribe and religious affiliations for the progress of our nation.