Wike Meets President Tinubu, Claims Federal Government Ready for Dialogue
As nationwide protests kicked off on Thursday, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was seen at the Presidential Villa in Abuja in the afternoon.
It was gathered that the former Rivers State governor was seen alighting from a black Toyota Prado Sports Utility Vehicle and being ushered into the President’s Office.
Although the specifics of their discussion were not disclosed, it is believed that the meeting addressed the hunger protests that erupted on Thursday, particularly concentrated in the FCT.
The capital saw massive demonstrations, with crowds filling the central business district and surrounding areas, prompting security officials to use tear gas to disperse the protesters.
In response to the unrest, Minister Wike announced that the Federal Government is open to dialogue with the protesters.
He made this statement during the handing over of the Staff of Office to four newly coronated Chiefs of Karu, Kwali, Pai, and Yaba in Abuja on Thursday.
Wike praised the peaceful conduct of the protesters and urged them to continue to avoid violence, emphasizing the importance of dialogue to resolve issues with the government.
“I want you to continue with that peace process because he who makes peace will, at the end of the day, enjoy the dividends of peace. I want to commend you and urge you to still talk to our people, that we are still ready to talk to them, have a dialogue with them, and iron out the grey areas. We’ll also brief them on certain things they do not know so that they will be well informed to make informed decisions,” Wike said.
Describing Abuja as the nation’s “centre of unity,” Wike stressed the importance of maintaining peace in the capital.
“Abuja is for everybody; if we lose Abuja, we have lost Nigeria. That is why we have always said, let us work together. There is nothing we can’t achieve under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu. Give him time, and a lot of things will change.”
Addressing the coronated chiefs, the minister highlighted the significant role of traditional rulers in governance, noting their close connection to the grassroots.
“You are the ones who know what the people feel at home; you are the ones who will tell us whether the government is making any impact or not. You will convey to your subjects what the government is doing and what the government is about to do; you are the ones to sell government policies and programmes to your people. If you convey a wrong message, that is what the people will accept. If you convey the right message, that is what the people will accept. So, you play a very pivotal role,” he said.
The Federal Government’s readiness for dialogue signals a move towards addressing the grievances of the protesters, with the aim of restoring peace and stability in the nation’s capital and beyond.
