Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has described the upcoming nationwide protest as politically motivated. Speaking with journalists on Tuesday during an inspection of the Karshi to Apo Road construction project, Wike addressed the youth-led protest against economic hardship and soaring inflation, which is set to begin on August 1.
Wike emphasized that the government is actively working to address the country’s challenges. “Let’s tell ourselves the simple truth. If we are playing politics, let’s say we are playing politics; if we want to be sincere to ourselves, let’s be sincere to ourselves and help our country,” Wike said, according to NAN.
He noted that the country’s issues are deep-rooted, stating, “The country is rotten. You know that the country is rotten, and a government has just come to see what it can do to at least move it from where we are to a certain level, and you say that miracle must be performed within one year.”
Referring to the delayed Karshi to Apo Road project, Wike added, “You are here now, we are talking about a project that was awarded 13 good years ago, what has happened? Nothing. Now a government has come to see how it can fix all these things and we are in too much of a hurry demanding that it must be done now. It is not possible. The protest is a political protest.”
The minister acknowledged the widespread dissatisfaction due to hunger and unemployment but urged people not to be swayed by political agitators. “So, let’s not listen to political protesters and political jobbers who just want to be popular. You know there are some people who believe that if they don’t criticise, they will not be popular,” he said.
Wike concluded by asserting that the current administration is serious about resolving these issues and urged patience from the public. “We are going to elections very soon; these are political gimmicks. Just know that the government is a serious government and working to solve the problem. We believe that things will turn around, but we should be patient with the government.”
(cable)