The organizers of the upcoming hunger protest in Abuja informed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on July 29, 2024, that nothing will prevent them from using Eagle Square for the demonstration.
The group had sent a request to the minister to use Eagle Square for their protest on August 1
They also asked for the provision of security and utilities throughout the event.
In its letter, signed by Director of Mobilization Damilare Adenola on Friday, the group requested that the minister provide 24-hour power supply, toilet facilities, water, and security.
This provision is essential for the comfort of Nigerian citizens who will be camped out at Eagle Square.
However, the minister indicated that protesters seeking to use Eagle Square must file a formal application.
He also stated that they cover the security costs for their scheduled protest in the FCT.
Wike was present at a Town Hall Meeting at the Federal Capital Development Authority’s Conference Room in Abuja on Saturday.
During the meeting, Wike noted that the group had only applied through social media and television appearances.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program, Adenola asserted that Wike has no choice but to allow “hungry Nigerian youths” to use the facility.
He attributed the delay in delivering the letter to government bureaucracy.
However, he assured that Wike would receive the letter by Monday, ahead of the demonstration scheduled to begin on Thursday.
Eagle Square is a public property
Adenola asserted that Eagle Square is public property and should be accessible to everyone.
He added that they should not expect the protesters, who are youths, to pay the exorbitant fee he is demanding.
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 a public property.
“When I saw the video of the minister, I was amazed because I saw the minister asking us to pay rent, pay 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 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 organization had been blocked.
He alleged that this action was taken on the orders of the Department of State Services.
He also mentioned that the bank had not yet responded to the group’s letters.
“The account of the TIB was arbitrarily blocked by UBA allegedly on the orders of the DSS,” he said.