Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has criticized the planned nationwide protest set to commence on August 1, 2024.
Wike described the protest as a political move aimed at gaining popularity rather than addressing genuine issues. This statement was made during a press briefing after inspecting the long-delayed Apo-Karshi Road project, which was originally awarded in 2011.
Wike’s comments come as a response to growing mobilization on social media under hashtags like #TinubuMustGo and #Revolution2024, where Nigerians have expressed frustration over economic hardships. The protest aims to highlight grievances against the current administration’s handling of the economy.
Wike urged Nigerians to exercise patience, emphasizing that the administration had only been in office for one year and was working hard to address the nation’s deep-rooted issues.
“The country was rotten, you know that the country was rotten, and then a government has just come to see what it can do, at least to move from where we are to a certain level. And you say that a miracle must be performed within one year?” he remarked.
He further argued that the protests were driven by “political gimmicks” from individuals seeking to capitalize on public dissatisfaction ahead of the 2027 elections. Wike stressed that the current administration is committed to addressing problems such as hunger and unemployment, but such issues cannot be resolved overnight.
“Everyone is not happy that there is hunger, everyone is not happy with the unemployment, but this unemployment was not started or was not created by this administration. The administration is just trying to put things together, which of course will take some time,” he added.
Wike also highlighted the politicization and lack of capacity that have hindered the completion of the Apo-Karshi Road project. He expressed frustration over the 13-year delay and pledged to reassess the capabilities of the contractors involved.
“It’s unfortunate, very unfortunate. For 13 good years, these roads have been abandoned, and I want to say clearly that part of the problem we have here is politics. Everything we politicize, and that is why the development cannot get quickly to our people,” he said.
