The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, saying it is politically motivated.
Speaking after an inspection of the Apo-Karshi highway project on Tuesday, Mr Wike called for patience from the public, saying the current administration was addressing substantial challenges inherited from previous ones.
“Let us tell ourselves the simple truth. If we are playing politics, let us say that we are playing politics; if we want to be honest with ourselves, let us be honest with 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 get it out of where we are at a certain level, and you say that this miracle must take place within a year.
“You are here now, we are talking about a project that was awarded 13 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 to demand that it be done now.
“It is not possible. The protest is a political protest,” he said.
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The minister acknowledged that people are unhappy due to hunger and unemployment, adding, however, that the current administration is not responsible for the current level of unemployment in the country.
According to him, the Tinubu administration is working hard to put things in order, which will of course take some time.
“Therefore, let us not listen to political protesters and opportunists who just want to be popular. You know, there are some people who believe that if they don't criticize, they won't be popular.
“We are going to have elections very soon, these are political tricks.
“Just know that the government is a serious government and is working to solve the problem.
“We believe things will improve, but we must be patient with the government,” he said.
Some young Nigerians have planned to stage a week-long protest against hunger and insecurity.
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While some groups and individuals have distanced themselves from the planned protest, others insisted that it must go ahead to draw the attention of the government and the international community to the plight of Nigerians.
Last Saturday, the presidency, through the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, accused supporters of Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi of being behind the protest planned for August 1.
On Wednesday, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun said the police would respond to the protest in the most professional manner.