The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has broken his silence on the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1.
Wike described the protest as “politically induced” and aimed at diverting attention from the efforts of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the Apo Karshi Road in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the Federal Government as it works to address the country’s challenges.
Wike’s comments come after President Tinubu called on the organizers of the ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest to shelve their plans, citing concerns about the potential impact on the economy and security.
In addition to addressing the protest, Wike also issued a seven-month ultimatum to the contractors of the Apo-Karshi Road to complete the project. He expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work and revealed that 80% of the contract sum had been paid.
The Apo-Karshi project, awarded in 2011 under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, has yet to be completed despite the passage of 13 years. Wike attributed the delay to personal and political interests.