Protesters in Abuja Vow to Close Nyesom Wike’s Office and Gwagwalada Council Secretariat in Road Repair Ultimatum

In a demonstration of discontent, the Concerned Citizens of Kutunku, a group of youths in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, marched through Kutunku market road to protest against the dilapidated conditions of Kutunku market and abattoir roads. The protesters wielded placards demanding immediate road repairs, threatening to close down the Gwagwalada Area Council Secretariat and the office of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike if their concerns were not addressed promptly.

The placards, bearing messages like “Save Gwagwalada Now” and “Repair Market and Abattoir Road Now,” highlighted the frustration of residents who have endured poor road conditions for years. The protesters, affiliated with the ‘Take It Back Movement’ and using the hashtag #SaveGwags, expressed disappointment in the perceived negligence of Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Jibrin Giri.

Manasseh Ben Paul, the Head of Organizing and Mobilizations for the Take-It-Back Movement, conveyed the group’s grievances, citing the abandonment of the cottage hospital, deteriorating roads, and inadequate infrastructure. Paul emphasized the necessity for urgent action, warning that failure to respond would lead to further protests, potentially escalating to the shutdown of the council Secretariat and the FCT Minister’s office.

Co-convener of #SaveGwags, Comrade Majesty Idisi, underscored the impact of neglected Kutunku market road on residents, stating that the community’s vital market was suffering due to the poor infrastructure. The protesters vowed to escalate their actions, including shutting down public offices, if their demands for immediate road repairs, accountability, and transparency were not met.

This demonstration follows a previous effort by the group on November 6, 2023, where they utilized the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to request detailed records of federal allocations and expenditure from the Gwagwalada Area Council. The protesters continue to rally residents, preparing for what they term the “Mother of All Protest” to compel authorities to address the pressing issues affecting their community.