In a defiant move, the organizers of an upcoming hunger protest in Abuja have stated that they will proceed with their plans to hold the event at the Eagle Square, despite the conditions set by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The Take It Back Movement, the group behind the planned protest, had written to Minister Wike requesting the use of the public venue on August 1st. In the letter, they asked the minister to provide security, utilities, and other logistical support for the duration of the demonstration.
However, Wike has stated that any protest groups wishing to use the Eagle Square must apply properly and pay the necessary security costs. During a recent town hall meeting, the minister said the Take It Back Movement had only applied through social media and television appearances, and not through the proper official channels.
Damilare Adenola, the Director of Mobilization for the Take It Back Movement, has responded to the minister’s stance. In an interview, Adenola asserted that the Eagle Square is public property, and the minister should not expect the largely impoverished youth participants to pay the “exorbitant” fees he is demanding.
Adenola further claimed that the bank account of the organization has been blocked by the Department of State Services, adding to the financial challenges faced by the protest organizers.
Despite the minister’s conditions and the group’s reported financial constraints, Adenola has maintained that the hunger protest will proceed as planned at the Eagle Square on August 1st, stating that “there is nothing that would stop them from using” the public venue.
The standoff between the protest organizers and the FCT minister sets the stage for a potential confrontation, as both sides appear unwilling to back down from their respective positions.
