Wike Mobilizes Youths To Quash Hunger Protest, As CAN Calls On FG To Reduce Fuel, Food Prices

By Akinwale Kasali

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has mobilized youths and other stakeholders in Abuja, and implored them not to join the planned Nationwide Protest against hunger and hardship scheduled run from August 1-10.

The engagement with FCT youths from Abuja South Federal Constituency, in Kwali Area Council, Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils by Wike was to appeal to the Youths and enlighten them on the ills of protest and why they should not be part of it.

Wike said, “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.

The Minister said that 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.

Following this development,  the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Niger State Chapter, has pleaded with the Federal Government to reduce fuel price and regulate the prices of food items even as it called on Christian faithful to pray more to confront the challenges facing the country rather than join the proposed nationwide protest.

Most Reverend Bulus Yohanna, CAN State Chairman said “Let us shun protest. Violence has never yielded positive results but peace can easily turn things around. As you are aware, there are plans to stage a nationwide protest across the country but as Children of God and responsible people known for peace, I urge us all to shun the protest but speak to our children/wards and members of our congregation.

“Peaceful protest with clear demands is good but such could be hijacked by miscreants, who can lead to arrests/shootings and we cannot afford to lose any of our children. There is no time that violence had led to positive results, rather it has caused destructions, loss of lives and setbacks. Genuine protest can easily be seized by hoodlums and selfish groups to cause enormous havoc on innocent citizens and this is why we should avoid the protest.”

The CAN chairman who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese called on “President Bola Tinubu to, apart from the palliatives, reduce the pump price on petrol, regulate prices of food items. This will certainly address rising cost of living and bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians.”

He called on the people of the state to take advantage of the farming season especially now that the Farmer Governor is proactive and has prioritized the Agriculture sector with the hope of feeding the nation.