The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has alleged that some people plan to continue the protest today Friday to destroy property and killing of innocent citizens
Wike made the claim after holding an emergency Security Council meeting of the FCT last night, said intelligence has shown that some other people were planning for the second fday of the hunger protest in Abuja.
He told the planners to shelve the idea, warning that the security agencies will not allow such to happen.
Wike also accused a senator of sponsoring protest against the government.
The minister who did not name the senator, said intelligence showed that the said senator engaged some security agencies to lead the sponsors to provide food for the protesters.
“Shortly, the senator will be invited by security agencies for proper questioning,” Wike said.
The minister, who is a lawyer, said protest is allowed in democratic settings, adding that the protesters have been restricted to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
“We also believe that this protesting is their entitlement so that the government can address the issues raised. Obeying the rule of law is obeying court orders.
“We are doing quite a lot to change the lives of the people. You are aware of the court order yesterday. The court did not stop protests; it only restricted them to the National Stadium. We had come out to say clearly that one of the reasons we appealed against the protest was that we believe some miscreants will hijack the process and cause destruction of property within the FCT. See what happened in some of the states today.
Wike said: “We had said before now that we will continue to brief the press as we monitor the protest of people who say they are protesting against bad governance and hunger in the country. We believe that this is a democratic government and so we must act according to the rule of law.
“Now, look at the loss of lives. If such a thing happens in the FCT, what do you think people would say? Here we have the international community carrying out their businesses.
“You saw what happened today where some people tried to move into the Eagle Square. Miscreants may not have succeeded in what they wanted to do, but we have intelligence that they are coming out tomorrow (today) to destroy property that will lead to loss of lives.
“The security agencies will not allow that. Every protester, please, go to the MKO Abiola Stadium and do your protest. That is what the court said,” Wike added.
