The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on residents to abandon plans for a protest on August 1 and instead partake in a day of celebration.
This announcement was made during a media briefing following the FCT Security Council meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
The planned protest, tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, had stirred concerns within the government about potential disruptions. Addressing these concerns, Minister Wike emphatically stated that the FCT would not permit any protests on that day.
“We will not allow anybody to set us back. We are looking forward to making sure that we take FCT to where it is supposed to be as one of the major cities, not only in Africa but in the world,” Wike declared.
He further emphasized the significance of the day for the FCT, highlighting that it had been designated for a special event. “That is the day FCT has set aside for the entire area councils to jubilate, to give out certificates of recognition for their traditional rulers.”
The Minister outlined the plans for August 1, where traditional rulers in the territory would be formally recognized and honored. “We will not allow that day that FCT has set aside to honor their traditional rulers; for their people to rejoice, and then somebody will come and disrupt that day. We will not allow it,” he asserted.
Wike urged residents to come out in celebration of the achievements of the current administration, noting that the day should be a time for joy and not unrest. “We want people to come out and celebrate, as part of the achievement of the current administration. That day is not available for those who want to protest and FCT is not available for the protesters,” he concluded.
This directive from the FCT Minister underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and order in the capital while celebrating its cultural heritage and governance milestones.
