– Warns against anti-government protest
From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has said that, there is no place for protesting in the FCT, even as he warned the public against any anti-government protest in the FCT.
The FCT Minister, gave the warning in Abuja last Thursday, 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.
He said though, Nigerians in the FCT have the right to protest as enshrined by the law, however, 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 him, “the date is slated for the celebration of the traditional institution in the FCT and not for anti-government protests.
“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.
“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 certificate of honour to their traditional rulers.
“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.
Barrister Wike, also stated that anti-government protests were uncalled for in the FCT, in view of 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.
“Aside that, 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.
