Angry Nigerians looking to join the planned nationwide protest have been asked to steer clear the nation’s capital, as the Federal Capital Territory is not available for such activities.
According to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, the day has been set aside for chairmen of the six Area Councils of the FCT to give out certificates of recognition to their traditional rulers.
The minister who disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the FCT Security Council meeting on Thursday said, “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.
“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,” he said.
Wike, while recognising the people’s right to protest, stressed that that must be done within the ambience of the law. He advised Nigerians to rather work collectively to salvage the country from the current challenges.
He said that the security council was aware of the threat of the protest and what some people may call “end bad governance.”
“This period, we think that all Nigerians should work collectively to salvage our country.
“I am aware that there are challenges, but President Bola Tinubu and his team are working right now to ensure that these challenges, these problems facing our country are addressed.
“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, who expressed confidence in Tinubu’s capacity to address the challenges, urged all Nigerians to have patience.
“For instance in FCT, we have seen the changes in FCT; we have seen that the government is working. Tinubu is giving FCT so much support that all of us can attest to the fact that there are a lot of changes going on in FCT.
“Therefore, we will not allow anybody to set us back. We are looking forward to making sure that we take FCT to where it is supposed to be as one of the major cities, not only in Africa but in the world.
“So, we will not allow anybody to disrupt peace and set us back. For those who want to protest on Aug 1, or thereabout, FCT is not available for such protest,” Wike emphasised.
Earlier, the FCT Minister had pacified residents at the Saburi area of Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, 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, as he also urged the AMAC Chairman, Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, to site a Primary Healthcare Centre in the community.
By Sarah NEGEDU