The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has outlined conditions for Nigerians wishing to use Eagle Square for the nationwide protest on August 1.
Wike detailed these conditions during a town hall meeting in Abuja on Saturday, aimed at discouraging FCT residents from participating in the protest.
He emphasized the necessity of the meeting to ensure stakeholders in the FCT understand the importance of maintaining peace and order, which could be compromised if residents join the protest.
“Who are these people who want to protest? They have applied to me to grant Eagle Square. Do you apply to me through social media?
“You will write a letter to the minister. I will see you; who are you; what do you want to do? How many days do you want to spend? How much will you pay?
He mentioned that he saw unidentified individuals on Channels TV news stating that they had informed the Inspector General of Police about their application.
“You don’t apply to me through Channels; you must apply properly. You must pay what we call security cost, so that if there is any damage to the facility, we will take from that security cost and repair it.
“We don’t just give people because you have applied. You must fulfil the conditions. People have paid for Eagle Square, and you said you have applied to me now.
“So, I should go and cancel the other people’s own because you want to protest? It is first come, first served.
“I am not saying that people should not protest, but not protest that is aimed at destabilising the government,” he added.
The minister, warning against a repeat of the #EndSARS protest experience, emphasized that Abuja is a center of unity and stated that the FCT Administration would not permit violence under the guise of protest.
