Wike declares govt’s readiness to dialogue with protesters

…presents Staff of office to Graded Abuja chiefs

By Ukpono Ukpong

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has called on protesters to come for dialogue with the government instead of returning to street demonstration as the latter is ready to give a listening hear to their demands.

Wike made the call yesterday during the presentation of Staff of Office to the newly appointed graded Chiefs of the four Chiefdoms of Karu, Kwali, Pai and Yaba in the FCT.

Addressing those protesting against the President Bola Tinubu administration, Wike said that government is ready to listen to them and also walk them through some governance issues that they may not have been privy to.

READ ALSO: ‘Contentious’ scheme of service: ASUP puts proposed…

Speaking further, he commended the protesters in the FCT for being nonviolent, even as he urged them to continue to resist those who would want to destroy the nation.

He said Abuja as the nation’s capital remained a precious asset to the country, noting that if the FCT is destroyed, it will have negative consequences on the entire country.

Meanwhile, the Minister congratulated the newly graded chiefs on their appointments and charged them to take their duties seriously and responsibly.

Installed into the royal stools are the Sa’Karuyi of Karu, HRH Joseph Danfulani Narai, the Esu of Kwali, HRH. Luka Ayedoo Nizassan III, the Sarkin Pai, HRH Abubakar Sani Pai and the Etsu of Yaba, HRH Yakubu Ndatsu.

He reminded the traditional rulers that they have a role to play in ensuring peace and security in their various domains and urged them to also ensure that their subjects are well informed about the policies and programs of government.

“Let me say that traditional rulers have a lot of roles to play. You are the closest to the grassroots. You interface with the people more than us. You are the ones who know what the people feel at home. You are the ones who will tell us whether the government is making any impact or not.

“You will convey to your subjects what the government is doing and what the government is about to do. You are the one to sell government programs and policies to your people.

“If you convey a wrong message, that is what the people will accept. If you convey the right message, that is what the people will accept. So, you play a very pivotal role.

“We are here to honour you and you should also make sure that you take your responsibility very seriously,” Wike said.

The Minister, who also stated that his office is a link between the traditional rulers and the President, encouraged them to be forthright about their demands, assuring that the government will do all that it can to provide the tools that the traditional rulers require to work for their people.

He recalled that the requests made by the various stakeholders in the FCT Area Councils during the earlier security town hall interactions were already being implemented as agreed.

“Reach out to us and tell us this is what you want. We will be able to dialogue with you and make sure those things you want and provided.”

Speaking further, the Minister said, “Your role is no longer to sit at home. Your role is now to make sure you bring peace to your domain. You make sure security is provided. You make sure to inform the government that there are things you observe that the government should come in and see what they can do, which is very key.

Wike also thanked other traditional leaders in the FCT present at the ceremony for their show of support to their colleagues.

He described the event as special, saying the recognition of the royal chiefs was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Minister recalled that the traditional stools were vacant on his assumption of office and acknowledged the efforts of the FCT Minister of State, as well as the FCT Area Council Chairmen which he said helped in filling the vacant stools.

Earlier in her remarks, the Minister of State, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, thanked the FCT Minister for cascading the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President to the traditional rulers in the FCT.

Dr. Mahmoud commended the stakeholders present at the event for their support and commitment to preserving the rich cultural heritage of the FCT and urged the newly appointed chiefs to continue to live with wisdom and integrity.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Senator David JimKuta said the recognition of the newly appointed chiefs was a call to action, adding that they have a lot of work to do in their various domains.

On his part, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on FCT, Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, thanked the FCT Administration for the giant developmental strides in the FCT and pledged the continued support of the House of Representatives for the Administration.

Also speaking, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Area Council Secretariat, Lawrence Bitrus Garki, disclosed that the traditional stools were vacant for 13 months, following the demise of the previous chiefs’, adding that the newly appointed chiefs emerged in line with the traditional customs in the FCT.