Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has declared that Abuja will not be available for protesters on August 1. Instead, the minister has set aside this date to honour the traditional rulers of the six area councils in the capital city.
He issued this warning in a press briefing following a security council meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
Wike stated, “That is the day FCT has set aside for the entire area councils to jubilate, to give out certificates of recognition for their traditional rulers. We will not allow that day that FCT has set aside to honour their traditional rulers for their people to rejoice, and then somebody will come and disrupt that day. We will not allow it.”
The minister stated he acknowledged the right of people to protest or demonstrate but emphasized that such rights must be exercised within the confines of the law.
“We want people to come out and celebrate, as part of the achievement of the current administration. That day is not available for those who want to protest and FCT is not available for the protesters. We know that it is a very difficult period for citizens; Tinubu has come out clearly to say that there are challenges; there are problems, but these challenges and problems will be tackled,” Wike said.
The minister’s warning comes after he had earlier begged residents of the Saburi community not to associate themselves with the proposed hunger protests.
The minister, like several other Nigerian government authorities, has been thrown into panic mode. As reported, governors of the 36 states of Nigeria had an emergency meeting on Wednesday night to deliberate on the protests, which were triggered by poor government policies and hardship.
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