Federal Capital Territory Minister, Barrister Nyesome Wike, emphasized that protests exacerbate problems instead of solving them, as they often provide opportunities for hooligans and hoodlums to cause disturbances.
He conveyed this message on Saturday during an interactive town hall meeting with residents, which was part of the peace-building process in the FCT, ahead of planned protests across the nation.
During the meeting, Wike explained that the forum was created to facilitate dialogue with various stakeholders and allow them to express their grievances constructively, instead of resorting to street protests against the government.
“Protests do not solve any problem. Protests rather create more problems because hooligans, hoodlums would always want to take advantage to foment problems and create crises,” the Minister stated, reiterating that the FCT Administration would not permit protests aimed at causing destruction or government overthrow.
He cautioned residents to avoid aligning with what he described as faceless protesters, while acknowledging their constitutional right to protest within legal boundaries.
Addressing the issue of requests for protest permits at Eagle Square, the Minister mentioned that he had only come across these requests on social media and television.
He stressed that any request to protest in the FCT must be formally addressed to his office and meet specific conditions.
“Who are these people who want to protest? I’m just reading on social media that they’ve applied to me to grant the Eagle Square. Do you apply to me through social media? You will write a letter to the Minister. Who are you? I will see you. What do you want to do? How many days do you want to spend? How much will you pay?” he queried, underscoring the need for proper application and security cost payments to cover potential damages.
Wike highlighted the importance of peace for societal development and expressed gratitude to various FCT stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organizations, youth group representatives, and women leaders, for their support and commitment to peace-building.
He assured ongoing dialogue with residents.
In response to requests for greater inclusion of women and youths in FCT governance, the Minister pointed out that his cabinet includes several young individuals and women in key positions, such as Mandate Secretaries.
He emphasized that youths and women have not been overlooked and will continue to be included in future appointments.
“If you check in our cabinet, it’s made of youths too. The coordinator of the Satellite Towns is a Youth. The Mandate Secretary of Area Council is a Youth. The General Council is a Youth. So, if you have an eight-member cabinet, and you have three as youths, then you cannot say the youths have not been carried along,” he explained.
Wike further noted that with the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission and recent reforms, four out of ten staff appointed as Permanent Secretaries are women.
He also promised to forward the request for a Youth Secretariat in the FCT Administration to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approval.
The Minister also addressed the concern regarding the appointment of a non-indigene to represent the FCT in the Public Complaints Commission, assuring residents that this issue would be brought to the President’s attention for correction.
He urged residents to engage in dialogue rather than protests, highlighting the President’s willingness to correct mistakes when informed.
“So, I thank God you did not go to protest on the road. This is what we are talking about in the dialogue. When you dialogue, people will take correction. When you discuss, people will say oh this is the mistake we have made. Let us correct the mistake and that is Mr. President for you. He has never told you that he will not make a mistake. He is human. He would make mistakes. That’s why he’s a human being,” the Minister remarked, stressing the importance of constructive engagement over protests.
