The youths had also threatened to shut down the Gwagwalada Area Council Secretariat and office of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, if their demands were not met.
The Take-It-Back Movement (TIB), a pro-democracy group, has vehemently condemned the abuse of power and blatant infringement of the fundamental human rights of activists, Manasseh Ben Paul, and protesters in the Gwagwalada area council.
SaharaReporters reported on January 6, 2023 that the Take-It-Back Movement chapter in the Gwagwalada area council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, tackled the council chairman, Abubakar Jibrin Giri for insulting residents over their protest against the bad state of the infrastructure in the council.
SaharaReporters had reported that a group of youths under the aegis of Concerned Citizens of Kutunku in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja on Friday staged a peaceful protest against the deplorable condition of Kutunku market and abattoir roads in the area.
The youths had also threatened to shut down the Gwagwalada Area Council Secretariat and office of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, if their demands were not met.
The placards-carrying protesters in their number had marched through Kutunku market road to demand for immediate repair of the roads which they said had been in bad shape for years.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards had read; “Save Gwagwalada Now”; “We Can't Continue Like This”; “Repair Market and Abattoir Road Now”; “We Can't Keep Silence and Be Suffering”; “We Deserve Better Treatment” and among others.”
The Press Secretary to the Council Chairman, Ibrahim Yamawo, had in a media release claimed that the protest took place without considering the good performance of the Abubakar Jibrin Giri-led administration.
He had said, “We challenge the protesters and beyond to always assess the performance of Hon. Abubakar Jibrin Giri-led administration and over his intervention on the above-mentioned projects through FCTA. Recall that the Chairman has several times inspected the abandoned projects with FCTA.
“We have equally extolled the Chairman's track record of leadership, his youth and women empowerment schemes across the 10 political wards and youth inclusion in governance which is clearly known by the General public. I advise the protesters never in any amount of money paid to them allow themselves to be use by selfish individuals.”
However, the Abuja chapter of the Take-It-Back Movement in statement signed by Agena Robert Ande condemned what it described as "abuse of power and blatant infringement" of rights of activists and protesters in the Gwagwalada area council.
According to the statement, members of the group, including Manasseh, have faced "intimidation and threats orchestrated by the local council chairman and his associates".
The pro-democracy group claimed that the attacks on members arose when the Gwagwalada chapter of the Movement led a protest challenging the chairman over the deplorable state of infrastructure, and roads in the area council.
"We draw attention to Article 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression, and we affirm our commitment to exercising this constitutional right responsibly. The chairman's attempts to suppress our voices through threats and coercion stand in direct contradiction to the principles enshrined in our nation's constitution.
"Moreover, we are disturbed to learn that the Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Hamza, is allegedly aware of a plot against Manasseh and members of the Gwagwalada chapter of the Take It Back Movement. It is disheartening to witness the misuse of law enforcement in furtherance of personal agendas rather than upholding justice and protecting citizens.
"In light of these troubling events, we call on all well-meaning Nigerians, civil society organisations, and the media to stand with us in condemning the actions of the Gwagwalada area council chairman and the local police. We seek justice, fairness, and a recommitment to the principles enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
"We remain steadfast in our pursuit of a just and equitable society, and we appreciate the solidarity of those who share our commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all citizens," the statement partly read.