Wike's Office Ignores Take-It-Back Movement's Request: Clash Over Eagle Square Protest Heats Up.
The Take-It-Back Movement (TIB) wanted to use Eagle Square in Abuja from August 1 to 10, 2024, for a major protest called #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria. They sent a letter to Nyesom Wike,
An application for permission to use the square was made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. These, however, Wike's office claimed they never received this letter. He even declared the protest organizers to be "faceless" and called on people to join in the local celebrations rather than the protest.
Wike's Office Flouts Take-It-Back Movement Request-Clash Over Eagle Square Protest Heats Up.
Damilare Adenola of the Take-It-Back Movement blamed Wike's failure to respond to their letter, which he said may be due to delay tactics or some untruthful reasons on the part of the government. Notably, Adenola debunked claims by Wike that the organisers were faceless, explaining that many protesters were struggling Nigerians battling hunger and unemployment. He said that the protest was driven by issues and not at the instance of some elitist's agenda. Adenola added that Eagle Square is a public place, asking why they should be asked to pay extra charges to use it.
Saturday Sun
From OUR OWN VIEW
This incident holds a lot of tension between the protesting public and the government in power. Refusal to recognize the official request for protest space may be interpreted as suppression of democratic rights. That government official's referring to protest leaders as "faceless" is questionable because it diminishes the legitimacy of their concerns. The two central issues advocated by this protest-hunger and unemployment-are both pervasive and serious, which carries the weight of their demands.
What is important in this issue is that both the government and the protesters open up to each other. Although the government should encourage peaceful demonstrations as part of democratic freedoms, protesters must also ensure that their demands are well spelled out and their cases legally argued. In such cases, transparency and respect would ease tension and avoid escalation, hence constructive solutions.
https://saharareporters.com/2024/07/29/breaking-wikes-office-refuses-acknowledge-take-it-back-movements-letter-requesting-use#google_vignette
