A defiant Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the protest calling for his sack or resignation as sponsored. He insisted he wasn’t bothered even though he agreed that the demonstrators have a right to so do in a democratic setting.
Wike, a former Rivers State governor, assumed office as the FCT minister months after Bola Tinubu’s emergence as president.
On Wednesday, civil society organisations, under the aegis of the Network of Civil Societies for Economic Sustainability, staged a protest at the national assembly complex, Abuja, to demand Wike’s resignation as FCT minister.
Adamu Matazu, the convener of the group, said Wike’s actions were detrimental to the progress and growth needed in the FCT and the nation at large.
He accused the minister of being inconsiderate about the plight of FCT residents, adding that his actions have been “controversial”.
In his reaction which was marked by palpable defiance on Thursday, Wike declared that he was not bothered a bit by the protest and never took notice of it.
“Yesterday, somebody told me some people were carrying placards. Frankly speaking, I did not have time to even (consider) that. I was busy. I don’t want to be distracted,” he said at the inauguration of the resurfacing of 49 roads in the Asokoro, Wuse, and Maitama areas of Abuja.
“We want to be focused and deliver on the mandate Mr President has given to us. But one thing you must even understand is that this is democracy.
“So many people are entitled to their opinions. But what is important is that your opinion must be in line with what is good for the people of the FCT. We can’t continue to do the same thing the same way and expect to achieve different results.”
Wike said he was not bothered about the demonstrations and maintained that the protesters were paid.
“So, let nobody bother themselves, they were people who were paid. Yes, they have collected the money and that ended yesterday,” the minister added.
“So, nobody should be worried that people are demonstrating.”
He said his administration is committed to ensuring his policies are for the betterment of the generality of FCT residents.
“We have taken decisions to make sure our people are happy,” he said, maintaining that a “few people” cannot benefit at the “detriment of others”.
According to him, his administration will make decisions that will improve the lot of the people.
