The Nation reported that Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, voiced discontentment with traders who staged disruptive protests without prior communication.
Wike criticized their actions of blocking roads and disrupting traffic without informing him of their grievances or attempting dialogue.
He questioned the efficacy of such tactics in supporting the government and stressed the importance of constructive engagement over unilateral actions.
Wike expressed his disapproval of intimidation tactics and encouraged traders to communicate their concerns directly to him.
He urged them to use proper channels by discussing their issues with him before considering protests.
Wike assured that he was open to addressing their grievances but underscored the significance of respectful communication and adherence to established procedures.
He said, “If this is the way you support government, then I don’t need it. Is this the way you support the government by barricading the road and obstructing traffic without informing me of anything? You never wrote to me saying that you wanted to see me or that we refused to see you.
Then what you will do is wake up in the morning and barricade the road and barricade the gate, and then you are saying you are supporting me? Then I don’t need your support.
“What I don’t like is intimidation. If you have a problem, channel your problem to me, and if I don’t solve it, then you can take another step.
“Something that has happened since 2015 and you didn’t take any step. Ministers have come and gone, and then I just came and I haven’t received any letter from you till today, saying there is a problem we are having and we think you can help us to solve the problem."