Senator sponsoring hardship protest in FCT – Wike
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has revealed that intelligence reports indicate a senator is sponsoring the protest in the FCT.
According to Wike, the intelligence showed that the senator invited some security agencies to provide food for the protesters.
Wike, describing this act as sponsorship, expressed confidence that the security agencies would invite the senator to find out why he was supporting such a protest against the current government.
During a press briefing on Thursday regarding the situation of the protest in the FCT, Wike also disclosed that intelligence reports suggested the protesters plan to destroy property on Friday, which could lead to loss of lives.
“The security agencies will not allow it. Every protester, please go to the Moshood Abiola Stadium and conduct your protest.
READ ALSO: Protesters abandon Abuja stadium, gather at Berger roundabout
Look at the loss of lives in Kaduna, and see what happened in Kano. What would you think people would say if such a thing had happened in the FCT?” Wike stated.
“We have international communities carrying out their businesses and residing in the FCT.
So, we think that this country belongs to all of us. We believe that we must work according to the rule of law, and working according to the rule of law means obeying court orders.”
Wike further elaborated, “We also have information that a senator had to invite some security agencies to lead some of them to go and provide food for the protesters.
That is sponsorship. A senator is providing food for the protesters. I am convinced that the security agency will invite the senator and find out how he is sponsoring this kind of protest against the government of the day.”
The minister emphasized that while the right to protest is acknowledged, it must be conducted within the confines of the law.
“We believe that in carrying out that protest, we must do it according to the rule of law. We have stated categorically and clearly that we are not stopping protests, but we only appealed that they should give the government some time to resolve some of these issues.”
Wike urged residents and indigenes of Abuja to recognise the efforts being made to improve their lives.
He noted that while a court order was issued, it did not stop the protest but directed that it be confined to a specific area, the Moshood Abiola Stadium.
“The court said this protest must be confirmed to a particular area, the Moshood Abiola Stadium.
READ ALSO: US issues security alert, cancels visa appointments amid Nigerian protests
The security should allow the protesters to converge at the Moshood Abiola Stadium and then talk to the world and all the media, who would let the world know all they are saying,” he said.
“We believe that as a democratic society, when you want to carry out your protest, you must do it according to the law, and the court has said, do this protest, carry it out with your fundamental rights, but within the Moshood Abiola Stadium,” Wike concluded.
Proofreading, editing by Sakinat Musa Abubakar and Maryam Sulaiman, Editor and Journalist at Neptune Prime.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va74ZvU2v1IqKByXoX3d
