Is Rivers a Christian State?
Multiple declarations by the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, that Rivers State is a Christian State have been met with rebuke from the Muslim community who insists such declaration put them at risk.
Wike, at different fora, stated that the state is a Christian State. Although the governor has never given reasons for his assertion, it has, however, not gone down well with Islam adherent who said that due to the volatile nature of religion in the country, such assertion is capable of causing disharmony between Christians and Muslims.
Jamil Ogbake, who said he is a Muslim from Oyigbo explained that such a statement by the governor might lead to disunity between Christians and Muslims.
He said: “Is the governor saying that people like Asari Dokubo, myself and other Muslims do not have a say in the state? I was born and brought up here. I don’t have any other place to go. What the governor is saying is that people like me do not have a say in the state by the virtue of our religious belief, it is bad”
Idris Chinda, a Muslim from Obio-Akpor said that the governor’s statements that Rivers is a Christian State might bring about discrimination on Muslims.
According to him: “I find the claims by governor Wike a bit sad because it is capable of causing discrimination to Muslims in who are indigenes. Even those who are not from the state but do business here and pay taxes here should be protected. Such statements put them at risk” he said
