…SAYS FCT NOT AVAILABLE FOR PROTESTS
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has declared August 1, 2024, as a celebration of the Traditional Institution in the FCT, adding that it is not for anti-government protests.
He warned that any form of anti-government protest will not be allowed in the FCT.
The FCT Minister disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday, July 25, 2024, shortly after the FCT Security Council Meeting, which was attended by the Heads of the various Security Agencies and the six Area Council Chairmen of the FCT.
The Minister who acknowledged that Nigerians in the FCT have the right to protest as enshrined by the law, however, said that the August 1st, 2024, date of the planned anti-government protest, coincides with the proposed date for the presentation of certificates of recognition to Traditional Rulers in all the Area Councils of the FCT.
According to the Minister, “For those who want to protest on the 1st of August or thereabout, the FCT is not available for such protests.
“That is the day the FCT has set aside for the entire Area Councils jubilating to give out Certificate of recognition to all their traditional rulers.
“So, we will not allow the day that the FCT has set aside to honour their traditional rulers, for their people to come and rejoice, and then somebody will say that he wants to disrupt that day. We will not allow it.
“So, we want to make it categorically clear that that day is a day that the entire six Area Councils would be meeting to recognize and give out certificates of honour to their traditional rulers.
“So, we also invite our people to come and join us that day in celebrating. It is part of the achievements of the administration. So, let the whole world hear us and hear us very well that that day is not available for those who want to protest and the FCT is not available for the protesters”.
Barrister Wike also stated that anti-government protests were uncalled for in the FCT, given the enormous support that the FCT has received from the Federal Government, which is reflected in the accelerated provision of infrastructure in the nation’s capital.
He said the FCT Administration would therefore not allow any form of demonstration that will disrupt the developmental trajectory of the FCT.
According to him, “For us as FCT, we have seen the changes in FCT. We have seen that government is working. Mr. President has given the FCT so much support that all of us can attest to.
“Therefore, we will not allow anybody to set us back. We are looking forward to making sure that we take the FCT to where it’s supposed to be as one of the major cities, not only in Africa but also in the world.
“So, we will not allow anybody to disrupt the peace or set us back”.
In a statement by the Director of Press (Office of the Minister), Anthony Ogunleye, the Minister further said instead of protesting, Nigerians should work collectively with the government to salvage the challenging situation in the country.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has acknowledged the difficult challenges that the country is facing and is committed to addressing them, even as he called for patience among Nigerians.
“This period, we think that all Nigerians should work collectively to salvage our country. I’m aware that there are challenges. Mr. President and his team are working hard right now to make sure that those challenges, those problems facing our country are being solved.
“We know that it is a very difficult period for the citizens. Mr. President has said clearly that there are challenges, there are problems, but those problems and challenges will be tackled and we believe in him.
“We urge Nigerians to also have patience, that at the end of the day, we will come out of these economic woes”.
Also at the meeting were the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, and senior officials of the FCTA.
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