Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says he has not received a formal application for the use of Eagle Square, Abuja, as a protest venue.
Wike, who stated this during a town hall meeting at the weekend in Abuja, also discouraged residents from joining the nationwide protest scheduled for August 1-10, dubbed ’10 Days of Rage,’ aimed at highlighting economic hardships.
Despite appeals from various stakeholders, including the presidency, federal and state governments, and traditional and religious leaders, urging citizens to cancel the protest, Wike emphasized the importance of peace and order in the FCT.
He clarified that proper communication channels for requesting the use of Eagle Square had not been followed.
Addressing the protest organizers, Wike questioned their application process. “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?” he asked.
He outlined the necessary procedures for such applications, including writing a formal letter, specifying the details of the protest, and paying a security deposit to cover potential damages.
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Wike stressed that the allocation of Eagle Square operates on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be overridden for protests without fulfilling all conditions. “We don’t just give people access because they have applied. You must fulfil the conditions. People have already paid for Eagle Square, and you said you have applied to me. Should I cancel others’ reservations because you want to protest?” he remarked.
Acknowledging the right to protest, Wike warned against demonstrations aimed at destabilizing the government. Highlighting some of President Bola Tinubu’s recent initiatives, he mentioned the increase in the minimum wage and the establishment of a student loan scheme as measures to alleviate economic hardship. “This will not solve all the problems but at least cushion the hardship a bit,” he said.
The minister called on Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s efforts to improve the nation’s economic situation.
