Wike alleges senator sponsoring #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has revealed that security agencies have uncovered information about a Senator allegedly sponsoring the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests against the government.

Wike made the announcement during a press briefing following a security meeting with heads of security agencies in Abuja on Thursday.

The protests, which started yesterday in Abuja and other parts of the country, proceeded despite appeals from government officials urging citizens to avoid participating.

Wike claimed that the Senator in question had reportedly arranged for security personnel to deliver food to the protesters, which he described as a form of sponsorship.

“Now we also have intelligence that a senator had to invite some security agencies to lead some of them to go and provide food for the protesters. That is sponsorship,” Wike stated.

“A senator providing food for protesters. At the appropriate time, security agencies will invite the senator and find out how you will be sponsoring this kind of thing against the government of the day.”

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The minister reiterated his call for protesters to adhere to the court order mandating their demonstration be confined to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium. He highlighted the violence and fatalities reported elsewhere on the first day of the protest.

Wike also disclosed that security agencies had received intelligence about potential attempts by miscreants to hijack the protests and cause property damage on the following day, but assured that security forces would prevent such actions.

“We believe that this is a democratic government and so we must act according to the rule of law. We also believe that this protest is their entitlement so that the government can address the issues raised. Obeying the rule of law is obeying court orders,” he said.

“You saw what happened today when some people tried to move into Eagle Square. Miscreants may not have succeeded in what they wanted to do, but we have intelligence that they are coming out tomorrow to destroy property that will lead to loss of lives. The security agencies will not allow that. Every protester, please, go to the MKO Abiola stadium and do your protest. That is what the court said,” he declared.

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