Amidst nationwide protests on Thursday, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was seen at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The former Rivers State governor arrived in a black Toyota Prado SUV and was ushered into the President’s Office. While the specifics of their discussion remain undisclosed, it is speculated to be related to the hunger protests that began on Thursday, with the FCT being a focal point.
In Abuja, significant demonstrations occurred, with crowds gathering in the central business district and surrounding suburbs. Security officials responded by deploying tear gas to disperse the protesters. However, Minister Wike emphasised the Federal Government’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the demonstrators.
Speaking at a ceremony where he handed over the Staff of Office to four newly coronated Chiefs of Karu, Kwali, Pai, and Yaba in Abuja on Thursday, Wike praised the peaceful conduct of the protesters and urged them to maintain their non-violent approach. He stressed the importance of dialogue and resolving issues amicably.
“I want you to continue with that peace process, because he who makes peace will, at the end of the day, enjoy the dividends of peace,” Wike stated. He encouraged the chiefs to communicate to their communities that the government is open to discussions and willing to address their concerns.
Highlighting Abuja’s role as the “centre of unity” in Nigeria, Wike remarked, “Abuja is for everybody; if we lose Abuja, we have lost Nigeria. That is why we have always said, let us work together. There is nothing we can’t achieve under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu. Give him time, and a lot of things will change.”
Addressing the coronated chiefs, Wike stressed the crucial role traditional rulers play in bridging the gap between the government and the grassroots. “You are the one who knows what the people feel at home; you are the one who will tell us whether the government is making any impact or not.
You will convey to your subjects what the government is doing and what the government is about to do; you are the one to sell government policies and programmes to your people,” he said. Wike stressed the importance of conveying accurate messages to ensure that communities are well-informed and can make informed decisions.
