Scores of demonstrators on Wednesday threw their weight behind the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his threat of demolition of illegal structures in Abuja.
According to the groups, the former governor of Rivers State was merely assuring Nigerians that he would follow due process to restore the Abuja master plan.
The minister had stirred the hornet’s nest when he vowed to demolish houses illegally constructed in the nation’s capital during a press briefing at his new office in Abuja on Monday.
The threat had sent shivers down the spine of many residents in the FCT, with many alleging that the former Rivers governor may toe the path of ex-FCT Minister, Nasir El-Rufai, who demolished many structures in his bid to sanitise Abuja.
However, the protesters under the aegis of The Natives backed Wike, saying the panic over the minister’s alleged threat of demolition should not unsettle residents of the FCT.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the Coordinator of The Natives, Edward Smart disclosed that Wike only stated the obvious.
“We are reassuring Nigerians not to be afraid. The country has to become greater and all of us will have to make sacrifices. Wike is not threatening.
“Wike was only demanding and asserting to do the right thing,” he said.
Edward also charged the newly inaugurated ministers to work hard to deliver on the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of the President.
The group equally urged the President to keep the appointees on their toes and force those who fail to live up to expectations to resign from office.
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