By Milcah Tanimu

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has appealed to Abuja residents to avoid participating in the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship. Wike made this call during his inspection of the ongoing construction of a 5-kilometre access road in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) on Thursday.

The planned protest, scheduled to begin on August 1, aims to address issues of hunger and insecurity in the country. Wike reassured residents that President Bola Tinubu is aware of these concerns and is actively working on reforms to address them. He described the current economic crisis as temporary and suggested that the ongoing reforms and policies would soon bring positive changes.

Wike expressed skepticism about the motives behind the protest, alleging that it might be organized by certain politicians seeking to destabilize the Tinubu administration.

In a related development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) clarified that Wike does not influence decisions made by the party’s Rivers State chapter. Tony Okocha, Chairman of the Rivers APC caretaker committee, stated that Wike is not a member of the APC and does not participate in their meetings. Okocha characterized Wike as an “unrepentant” member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and dismissed claims of his influence over the APC in Rivers State.

Okocha also addressed questions about former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s membership in the party, noting that Amaechi had not attended recent APC meetings and had reportedly distanced himself from the party.

Overall, Wike’s appeal and the APC’s statements reflect ongoing political dynamics and responses to public protests against economic challenges in Nigeria.