‘Your right to protest restricted to MKO Abiola stadium’ – Wike tells protesters

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has told protesters to confine their activities to the Moshood Abiola Stadium, in line with the order of the court.

The FCT Minister gave the directive in Abuja on Thursday, August 1, 2024, while briefing newsmen, shortly after an emergency security meeting with the heads of the various security agencies in the FCT.

The Minister who acknowledged the right to protest in a democratic dispensation said such demonstrations must be done according to the rule of law.

He said, “We believe that this is a democratic administration and therefore we must govern according to the rule of law.

“We also believe that those who are doing protests are doing protests based on the fact that it is their entitlement to carry out protests so that the government will be able to resolve some of the issues raised in such protests.

“We also believe that in carrying out that protest, we must do it according to the rule of law.

The Minister also clarified that the court did not stop the protests, but has said that the protests should be confined to a particular area, which is the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

He added that the government, as a democratic administration, was also not stopping anyone from protesting, but was rather appealing for some time to address the challenges in the country.

He said the security agencies will allow the protesters to convene at the Stadium, adding that members of the press will also be there to convey their message to the government and the rest of the world.

He said, “We have stated categorically that we are not stopping protests. We are only appealing to give government some time, that some of these issues will be resolved”.

The Minister further called for dialogue and constructive engagement in the task of solving the country’s problems, saying that protests would rather compound the challenges by giving opportunities to criminals to cause problems in the nation’s capital. He said the FCT as the host city of the international community cannot afford to have a breakdown of law and order.

Barr. Wike also stated that some protesters also tried to invade the Eagle square in Abuja, but were stopped due to the vigilance of the security agencies.

The Minister further disclosed that available intelligence also shows that some protesters were planning to cause destruction of properties that could lead to the loss of lives in the city but warned that the security agencies will not allow that.

Barr. Wike who also disclosed that a Senator of the Federal Republic was sponsoring the protesters against the government, said the individual would be invited by the security agencies for questioning.
He said, “We have intelligence that a Senator was providing food to the protesters. That is sponsorship …for a Senator providing food for protesters.

“The security agencies will invite the Senator and find out how you will be sponsoring this kind of thing against the government of the day”.

The Minister however commended residents of the FCT, including market women, taxi drivers and youths who have remained calm and refused to join the protests and cause mayhem.

He assured that the government will do its best to ensure that some of the challenges in the country are addressed.
Barr Wike also commended security agencies for ensuring peaceful conduct during the protests, adding that they are there to make sure that things are done properly.