By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
The Ministet of Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike has told promoters of proposed 1st of August hunger protests that the nation’s capital FCT will not be available for such.
Wike made this clarification while briefing journalists after a security meeting in his office in Abuja on Thursday.
He said: ” To those who want to protest on the 1st of August, FCT is not available to any form of protests. We will not allow it.”
He disclosed that the day has been set aside to celebrate and give certificates of recognition to the traditional rulers in the six Area Councils of the territory.
” Unfortunately though, that is a day FCT has set aside, the entire Area Councils will be jubilating as we will be giving out certificates of recognition to their traditional rulers. So we will not allow that day that the entire FCT has set aside to honour their traditional rulers for the people to come and rejoice, and then somebody would say that he wants to disrupt us that day.
” So we want to make it categorically clear, that the day is a day the entire six Area Councils will be meeting to recognise and give our certificates of honour to their traditional rulers.
The Minister explained that there is a right to protest, but that it must be within the ambit of the law, adding that rather Nigerians should work collectively to salvage the country from challenginges confronting her.
“We know that it is a very difficult period for the citizens, but we urge Nigerians to be patient.”
“We have seen a lot of challenges in the FCT, but we will not have anyone to take us back and disturb the peace”, he said.
Earlier, the FCT Minister while on inspection tour of Saburi community in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to inspect the progress of the ongoing road project in the area had pacified residents of the community to shun the hunger protests, urging them not to associate themselves with the protesters.
While interfacing with the Saburi residents, Wike urged them to excercise patience with the Tinubu’s government, promising that the hard times will soon be over.
The minister further promised to build a police station in the community to provide security in the community, as he also urged the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu to site a Primary health care Centre in the community.
