Hardship: Wike mobilizes youths, other stakeholders against joining protest

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, is mobilizing Abuja youths and other stakeholders against joining the proposed August 1 to 10 nationwide protests over hunger and hardship.

Wike, who was speaking during a ministerial engagement with FCT youths from Abuja South Federal Constituency in Kwali Area Council of the FCT on Sunday, also said that youths and other stakeholders in Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils would as well be engaged on the same issue in the coming days.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, a similar interaction was held with stakeholders in Abuja Municipal Area Council, in Abuja on Saturday.

Wike pointed out that the interaction was to enlighten them on the ills of protest and why they should not be part of it.

The Minister appreciated the traditional rulers and the area council chairmen for mobilizing FCT youths for the interaction to enlighten them against joining a protest they do not have a stake in.

“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.

According to him, so much has been achieved in education, health and other sectors, particularly security.

He urged residents to commend and encourage the security agencies to do more, adding that it would be unfair not to do so.

“It is not fair to say we have not done anything on insecurity when we have improved security in FCT,” he said.

He said that in view of the current development in the FCT, what was desired was peace and not protest.

“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.