By Mark Lenu
The leader of the Rivers State Islamic Council, Alhaji Nasir Uhor has urged politicians in the country and state to stop playing politics with the welfare and lives of their people.
In his New Year message to politicians especially in Rivers State, the state Islamic leader told our correspondent that the state and country are too rich to have their citizens begging for food to eat.
He said: “Our political leaders here in Rivers State should realize that the position they hold was not gotten because they are better than every other person. They are there by the grace of the Almighty Allah. They should realize that it is Allah that has kept and sustained them there.
“And that they are there on behalf of the people not for themselves alone. At all times, they should take actions that are geared towards profiting the best interest of the people. They should make sure that whatever policies and programs they come up with are to the benefit of the people.
“They should not play politics with the welfare and lives of the people. They should be thankful to Allah for the grace and blessings He had bestowed on them and the best way to show appreciation to Allah is to serve the people diligently and honestly.
“When they have served the people and the people’s lives have been made better, then they can claim to be governing and serving Allah. How do we explain the stupendous wealth Allah has bestowed on Nigeria in general and Rivers State in particular? With the level of poverty we are having now, how can the politicians justify it?
“It shows there is a huge performance gap between what the politicians say and what actually they do. Considering the trillions of naira being spent, Nigerians should have been in no position to beg for food. It is very embarrassing and I don’t think Allah is pleased.
“So, I urge them to change to a new leaf this year. They should invest their energy and the common resources to promote a better life for our people. It is not about no money in Nigeria. There is so much money in Nigeria. It is about knowing what to do with the money.
..
“If there were no money in the country and Rivers State, during the election, you would have hardly seen people coming out to participate. You will not find people justling to hold positions. Because they know that the state and country have so much money, that is why politicians are ready to even kill to acquire political positions.”
