AMAC: Maikalangu Cautions Residents Against Proposed Protest

In a bid to maintain peace and order in the nation’s Capital ahead of the August 1 planned protest against economic hardship, the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Mr Christopher Maikalangu, has warned against undesirable elements protesting in the council or anywhere in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Maikalangu, who made the call at an interactive with youths and other stakeholders in Abuja said, despite Nigerians having the right to protest, dialogue still remains the only solution in addressing the numerous challenges bedevilling the country.

He however appealed to FCT residents to shun any act capable of disrupting the existing peaceful co-existence in the territory

He also expressed fears of the proposed protest being hijacked by some unpatriotic Nigerians to carry out their nefarious activities as witnessed in previous protests.

He said “For those faceless elements in the society who are bent by all means to topple a democratically elected government through the back door with the #tag; End The Bad Government slogan, it is unacceptable here in AMAC and the entire FCT”.

“The Minister acknowledged the marginalization of the people of FCT and promised to end it. What else can we ask from a government who has always demonstrated passion for the indigenous people of the FCT?

“Putting everything together, do we still have any other reason to go on protest? We have no other home. Go to our airport, you will see people flying out. You and I, where are we flying to. Why then should you allow your home to be destroyed?

“So, start now and tell your children that there is no need to protest and destroy your home. Everyone was selected for a special purpose here. The traditional rulers and stakeholders came from different places. So, when you go home, tell your people to maintain the peace.

“This is a government of one year, but a lot has been achieved. Recently, the president signed the Minimum Wage Bill into law. Let’s give the President more time to attend to our issues. Please, take the message back home and tell them that what we need is dialogue he said”.

Speaking earlier, the District head of Jikwoyi, Nicodemus Machi, said there is no need for AMAC residents to protest as many things will go wrong in the process by anti government parties.

On his part, the District head of Idu, Alhaji Ishaku Ibrahim, said the protest will not hold, going by discussion with the FCT minister and village heads.

He said “We don’t have any problem at Jiwa chiefdom regarding protest as we have held meetings and deliberated on the protests. We will abide by what the minister said and hope that our people will abide by our words. Though we have stubborn boys, we know how to deal with them.”

Speaking for the youths in Apo, a mechanic, Comrade Nonso Nwadiokwu, said a lot of things were destroyed during EndSARS and should not be repeated.

Similarly, Comrade Ajayi Danjuma, who spoke on behalf of youths of AMAC, said that the youths will not like to experience a repetition of EndSARS and hence will not protest.

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji