FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has called on residents of the Federal Capital Territory to celebrate President Bola Tinubu’s administration on August 1, rather than participating in protests.
While addressing newsmen after the FCT security council meeting in Abuja on Thursday, Wike declared that Abuja would not be available for protests on August 1.
He announced that the date had been designated for the chairpersons of the six area councils in Abuja to award certificates of recognition to their traditional rulers.
“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,” Wike said.
“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.”
Wike acknowledged the right to protest but emphasized that it must be conducted within the law. He expressed awareness of the protest threats, potentially labeled as “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 facing our country are addressed,” Wike stated.
He urged patience from Nigerians, expressing confidence in Tinubu’s ability to tackle the nation’s challenges.
“For instance, in FCT, we have seen the changes. 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 August 1, or thereabout, FCT is not available for such protest,” Wike declared.
