Apply properly, pay security costs, Wike tells organisers

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, says protesters who wish to use Eagles Square must apply properly and pay security costs for their scheduled #EndBadGovernance protest on August 1.

The Minister stated this at a Town Hall Meeting held in the Conference Room of the Federal Capital Development Authority in Abuja on Saturday.

Recall that a group, the Take It Back Movement, had written to the minister requesting the use of the Square for its protest, as well as the provision of security and utilities for the duration of the protest.

In its letter, signed by its Director of Mobilization, Damilare Adenola, on Friday, the group also stated that the minister must “ensure the provision of a 24-hour power supply, toilet facilities, water, and security for the convenience of Nigerian citizens who will be camped out at Eagle Square”.

However, Wike said the group had only applied via social media and television appearances, adding that they must apply properly, meet with him, and pay a security cost before such a request could be granted.

“I’m just reading on social media that they have applied to me to grant Eagle Square. Do you apply to me through social media? You will write a letter to the Minister. I will see you, who are you, what do you want to do, how many days will you spend, how much will you pay?

“I watched them on Channels News telling the IG they had applied. You don’t apply to me through Channels; you must apply properly. You must pay what we call Security Cost. So that if there’s any damage to the facility, we will take that security cost and repair it. We don’t just give people the venue because they have applied; you must fulfil the conditions,” the minister said.

Wike also stated that some persons had previously paid for the use of the venue, adding that the protesters could not ask to use Eagle Square on short notice.

“People have paid, yes, booking. Should I go and cancel those people’s bookings because you want to protest? He who comes first will take the approval. First come, first served,” he added.