The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has refuted recent claims circulating on social media regarding the purported demolition of parts of the national mosque in Abuja. In a statement issued on Thursday, FCDA spokesperson Richard Nduul clarified the situation and dismissed the reports as baseless.
Nduul stated, “The FCDA wishes to state unequivocally that as far as it is concerned, the news is fake or at best a mix-up by the reporter. There was no time whatsoever that the Honourable 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.”
The FCDA further elaborated that a delegation representing the Abuja mosque management committee, led by Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe, had recently met with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to request additional time for the development of two plots of land assigned to the national mosque.
One of these plots (Plot 63) is significantly affected by a planned road development project, the Inner Northern Expressway (INEX). The FCDA is awaiting an alternative or replacement solution for this affected land in light of recent land title allocation revocations that have remained undeveloped over time.
Nduul clarified, “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 24 hours on the issue of the National Mosque Lands.”
The FCDA spokesperson emphasized that the directive from the Minister was unrelated to the demolition of the National Mosque, as inaccurately portrayed by the reports.
Nduul concluded by assuring the public that the Minister, Nyesom Wike, expressed the FCT administration’s unwavering support and commitment to maintaining the National Mosque.
