Organizers of the planned hunger protest in Abuja have challenged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, declaring that nothing will stop them from using Eagle Square for their demonstration.

The group, Take It Back Movement, had previously written to the minister, requesting permission to use Eagle Square for their protest on August 1. They also asked for security and utilities for the duration of the protest.

In a letter signed by its Director of Mobilization, Damilare Adenola, the group demanded that the minister ensure the provision of a 24-hour power supply, toilet facilities, water, and security for the Nigerian citizens who would be camped out at Eagle Square.

However, Wike responded that any group wishing to use Eagle Square must apply properly and pay security costs. During a Town Hall Meeting at the Federal Capital Development Authority in Abuja, Wike noted that the group had only applied via social media and television appearances.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, Adenola insisted that Wike has no choice but to allow “hungry Nigerian youths” to use the facility. He blamed bureaucratic delays for the late delivery of the letter and assured that Wike would receive it by Monday, ahead of the protest scheduled for Thursday.

Adenola emphasized that Eagle Square is public property and criticized the minister for expecting impoverished youths to pay the high fees he demanded. “If the minister insists he hasn’t received the letter, we will serve him by publication,” Adenola said. “Eagle Square is a public property. How does the minister expect unemployed and impoverished Nigerian youths to afford the exorbitant fees?”

Adenola also claimed that the organization’s bank account was blocked by UBA, allegedly on orders from the Department of State Services (DSS), and that the bank had not yet responded to their inquiries.