One of the groups participating in the upcoming hunger protest in Abuja have insisted that they will use Eagle Square, despite the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, suggesting otherwise.
The Take It Back Movement had initially written to request permission from Wike to use the venue for their protest scheduled for August 1, along with essential provisions such as security, a 24-hour power supply, water, and toilet facilities.
In its letter signed by its Director of Mobilization, Damilare Adenola, on Friday, the group also stated that the minister must “ensure the provision of a 24-hour power supply, toilet facilities, water, and security for the convenience of Nigerian citizens who will be camped out at Eagle Square.”
However, Wike responded by stating that protesters must follow proper application procedures and cover security costs for the use of Eagle Square.
At a Town Hall Meeting in the conference room of the Federal Capital Development Authority in Abuja on Saturday, Wike stated that the group had only submitted their request through social media and television appearances.
Adenola, in response to that, during an interview with Channels TV argued that Wike had no option but to permit “hungry Nigerian youths” to use the facility for their protest.
Adenola attributed the delay in delivering the official letter to government bureaucracy, asserting that Wike would receive the letter by Monday, just in time for the demonstration scheduled to begin on Thursday.
Adenola asserted that Eagle Square is public property and the minister should not expect the protesters, who are youths, to pay the exorbitant fee he is asking.
He said, “It is possible that the receipt of the letter is being delayed by most likely bureaucracy in government or the minister is likely being insincere about receiving the letter.
“If he (Wike) insists that he hasn’t received it, the alternative is that he was served by publication because many Nigerian ministries streamline what to receive or not. If he says he didn’t get it physically, then we could as well say that he was served by publication.
“If he says he wants it by Monday, we will serve him. The truth is that Eagle Square is public property. When I saw the video of the minister, I was amazed because I saw the minister asking us to pay rent, security fees, and all that.
“My question to the minister is this: how does the minister expect a greater population of Nigerian youths who are impoverished, who have no jobs to afford to exorbitant price he is expecting us to pay? We are going to be at the Eagle Square on August 1st.”
Speaking further, Adenola claimed that the bank account of his organisation was blocked on the orders of the Department of State Services.
He added that the bank was yet to respond to the group’s letters.
