By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has presented staff of office and certificates to newly-installed Sa’karuyi of Karu, Joseph Danfulani, Etsu of Yaba, Aliyu Ndatsu, Sarkin Pai, Abubakar Pai and Etsu Kwali, Luka Ayedoo.
Addressing the new chiefs, Wike urged them to continue to serve as intermediaries between government and the people.
He said, “These stools were vacant before we came on board. We thank God Almighty that with the support of relevant stakeholders, we have been able to fill these stools today.
“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 know what and how the people feel. You can tell us whether government is making any impact or not and you are the ones to convey to your subjects what government is doing. 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 need to take your responsibility very seriously. Government will provide all you need to work for your people.
“If there are issues, reach out to us and we will do the needful. You don’t have to start going to churches or mosques raising such issues. When we visited the councils, you told us some of the things you needed immediately and we have done some and are doing the rest”.
On hardship protest, he called on those protesting against the President Bola Tinubu administration to come for dialogue, saying government is ready to listen to them and also walk them through some governance issues that they may not have been privy to.
He commended the protesters in the FCT for been nonviolent, Wike urged them to continue to resist those who will 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.
“Let me take this opportunity to commend the people, the youths of Abuja for not being violent. We have said severally that it is better to dialogue with government and keep the peace. He who makes peace will at the end of the day enjoy the dividends of peace. I still want to talk to our people that we are still ready to sit down and dialogue with them and let them know things that they may not know because information is power. I commend the protesters in Abuja who have refused to be violent”, he stated.
