Protest Leaders Challenge Wike: We’ll Use Eagle Square Without Authorization

Protest Leaders Challenge Wike: We’ll Use Eagle Square Without Authorization

The Take It Back Movement, a key organizer of the upcoming nationwide protest, has pledged to go ahead with its demonstration against hunger and economic hardship at Eagle Square in Abuja, despite the government’s hesitance to authorize the venue……. CONTINUE READING

According to Naija News, the government has not yet approved the location for the protest. Damilare Adenola, the group’s Mobilization Director, confirmed on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics that a formal request to use Eagle Square was sent to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Minister Wike, however, stated he had not received the application and questioned the validity of the protest organizers. He stressed the importance of adhering to proper procedures, including the payment of security fees, to cover any potential damage to the facility.

Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, remarked: “Who are these people asking to use Eagle Square? Have they applied to me through social media? You must follow the correct procedure, including paying a security fee to cover any damage. We cannot simply grant use of the facility to everyone who applies; it’s first come, first served.”

In response, Adenola attributed the delay in the letter’s delivery to bureaucratic issues but assured it would reach the minister on Monday. He criticized Wike’s demands as unreasonable, given the economic challenges faced by many Nigerians.

“The Eagle Square is a public property,” Adenola said. “The minister’s demand for payment is impractical given the economic situation. If Wike claims not to have received the letter, we may consider the publication of the request as sufficient notice.”

The protest, scheduled from August 1st to 10th, aims to highlight economic struggles and has garnered significant social media support. Samson Itodo, Director of Yiaga Africa, supported the protesters’ right to assemble peacefully, citing Section 40 of the Nigerian constitution. He urged the government to engage with the youth rather than dismiss their concerns.

“We need to accommodate the protesters’ right to peaceful assembly. The government should engage in dialogue with the youth instead of ignoring their issues,” Itodo emphasized.