The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is actively engaging Abuja youths and other stakeholders to discourage participation in the planned nationwide protests from August 1 to 10, which are organized in response to hunger and economic hardship.
During a ministerial meeting with youths from Abuja South Federal Constituency in Kwali Area Council on Sunday, Wike emphasized the need for such engagement. He announced plans to extend similar discussions to Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils in the near future.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that a comparable session was held with stakeholders in the Abuja Municipal Area Council on Saturday.
Wike explained that these interactions aim to educate the public on the negative impacts of protests and the reasons for not participating. He expressed gratitude to the traditional rulers and area council chairmen for their efforts in mobilizing local youths to understand and avoid involvement in the protest.
“There is no need for the protest. The current administration is barely one year in office and not enough to assess its performance.
“You can’t judge leadership within one year. I have not been in office for up to a year, but I have done so much that should be appreciated and convince people that FCT is working,” he said.
The minister highlighted significant progress made in education, health, and particularly in security.
He encouraged residents to recognize and support the efforts of security agencies, emphasizing that acknowledging their achievements and motivating them is essential and fair.
“It is not fair to say we have not done anything on insecurity when we have improved security in FCT,” he said.
He stated that, given the current situation in the FCT, what is needed is peace rather than protest.
“We want peace in FCT and so, we cannot fold our hands and allow it to be destroyed in the guise of protest,” Wike said.
