The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has asked Abuja youths and other stakeholders to stay away from the nationwide protests planned for August 1.
The protests are meant to address issues of hunger and hardship.
Wike made this appeal during a meeting with FCT youths from Abuja South Federal Constituency at Kwali Area Council on Sunday.
Similar meetings were held with stakeholders in the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
Wike said, “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.”
He added, “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.”
The minister expressed gratitude to traditional rulers and area council chairmen for their support in mobilizing FCT youths for this message. He urged residents to recognize improvements made in education, health, and security, and to support security agencies.
Wike emphasized, “It is not fair to say we have not done anything on insecurity when we have improved security in FCT.”
Regarding the proposed Federal Capital Territory University of Science and Technology in Abaji, Wike said efforts are underway to make it one of the best in the country. “I don’t want to set up a glorified university. I want to put up a university that we will all be proud to have,” he said.
On land issues in Abuja, Wike expressed frustration. “The problem of Abuja is land. Once you’re made a minister, it is as if you are coming to share land,” he said. “Nobody talks about development. Everybody is land, land, land, land, land. I feel so bad.”
Wike urged the youths to support the current government and avoid participating in the protest, suggesting that the motives behind the protest are unclear.
