The Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike is mobilizing youths in Abuja and other relevant parties to dissuade them from participating in the August 1–10 nationwide protests against poverty and hunger.
During a ministerial meeting with youths from the FCT’s Abuja South Federal Constituency on Sunday in Kwali Area Council, Wike stated,
”Youths and other stakeholders in Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils will also be engaged on the same issue in the coming days.”
A similar interaction with stakeholders took place on Saturday in Abuja at the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
The purpose of the interaction, according to the minister, was to educate them on the negative aspects of protest and the reasons they shouldn’t take part in it.
He expressed his gratitude to the chairmen of the area councils and traditional rulers for organising the youth of the Federal Capital Territory to engage in an educational session and warn them against participating in a demonstration in which they have no personal stake.
“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 stated that significant progress has been made in the areas of security, health, education, and other fields.
It would be unfair, he said, if residents did not applaud and encourage the security authorities to take more action.
“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 peace, not protest, was desired in light of the present developments in the Federal Capital Territory.
“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.
