The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, Neysom Wike, has stated that political motives drive the planned protest against President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He emphasised that Nigeria is currently in a state of disarray.
Wike accused Nigerians of being impatient and too eager to see President Tinubu miraculously rid the nation of its woes.
Wike said this during a discussion with journalists on Tuesday, following an inspection of the Karshi to Apo Road construction project, which was awarded 13 years ago.
He said, “Let’s tell ourselves the simple truth. If we are playing politics, let’s say we are playing politics. If we want to be sincere to ourselves, let’s be sincere to ourselves and help our country.
“The country is rotten. You know that the country is rotten, and a government has just come to see what it can do to at least move it from where we are to a certain level, and you say that miracle must be performed within one year.
“You are here now. We are talking about a project that was awarded 13 good years ago. What has happened? Nothing. Now, a government has come to see how it can fix all these things, and we are in too much of a hurry demanding that it must be done now.
“It is not possible. The protest is a political protest.”
Wike said that individuals are dissatisfied because of hunger and unemployment, emphasising that the Tinubu-led administration is not to blame for the country’s current unemployment rate. He mentioned that Mr. Tinubu’s government is working towards resolving the situation, but it will require some time.
The FCT minister said, “So, let’s not listen to political protesters and political jobbers who just want to be popular. You know there are some people who believe that if they don’t criticise, they will not be popular. We are going to elections very soon. These are political gimmicks.
“Just know that the government is a serious government and working to solve the problem. We believe that things will turn around, but we should be patient with the government.”
In some regions of the country, Nigerians have organised a week-long protest to address issues of hunger and insecurity.
Although some groups and individuals have chosen not to be associated with the planned protest, others are adamant that it should proceed to highlight the plight of Nigerians to the government and the international community.