Wike, who made the reaction on Monday, after he inspected ongoing projects in Abuja, described the claims as “baseless”, insisting that no formal application to use the facility was submitted.

The ADC raised concerns over difficulties in securing a venue for its national convention, scheduled for Tuesday in Abuja.

Chairman of the party’s Media and Publicity Sub-Committee for the convention, Kola Ologbondiyan, made the claim on Monday.

Ologbondiyan said that the party had yet to receive approval for a venue less than 24 hours before the event.

The minister said: “Who denied them? I am not aware of any such development.

“If it is the African Democratic Congress, such claims are their usual attempt to gain public sympathy.”

He explained that the use of Eagle Square was subject to due process, which includes formal application through the Abuja Investments Company Ltd, in charge of the facility and payment of required fees.

The minister also pointed out that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome is not under the FCT Administration, but the National Sports Commission.

“As we speak, no formal application has been submitted to the Abuja Investments Company Ltd.

“When the All Progressives Congress used the venue and Peoples Democratic Party used the Stadium’s Velodrome, they complied with the process.

“We do not deny anyone access if the rules are followed,” he added.

Speaking on the inspected projects, the minister expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far, assuring that key road projects would be completed by May 15.

“The contractors have assured us that road projects will be completed by May 15, while streetlight installations will be finalised before the end of May,” he said.

At Gaduwa, Wike said he had directed the installation of protective mesh to prevent encroachment on the road corridors, while works on streetlights were progressing.

At Wassa, the minister disclosed that the FCT Administration was set to relocate artisans and spare part dealers, operating at Apo Mechanic on the Outer Southern Expressway Road corridor.

He said that traders and artisans would be relocated to a new facility equipped with necessary infrastructure.

“This project is aimed at improving the working conditions of artisans and fulfilling long-standing promises to the informal sector,” he said.

Wike attributed the steady progress of projects in the FCT to effective collaboration between the government and contractors, supported by prompt payment of contractual obligations.

Source: NAN

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The Police Public Relations Officer, FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said the police was becoming overwhelmed.

She said the protesters were coming out from different locations against the earlier order, restricting the protest to Moshood Abiola Stadium.

READ ALSO: Protest: I-G Egbetokun reveals intelligence reports

“The protesters are coming out from different locations and are becoming violent.

“We are trying to curtail them but currently, they are being very violent,” she said.

The PPRO had earlier said that the command was in control of the protest.

She said the protesters moving to the Eagle Square against the initial restriction of the protest to Moshood Abiola Stadium brought about the violence.

Source: NAN

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The 5000 sitting capacity venue has undergone some level of renovation in the build up to the inauguration, which would hold in less than 24 hours.

The venue has been adorned with Nigerian flags and flags of other countries, while some parts have been repainted.

The Very Important Personality, VIP, Pavilion was among parts of the square that was repainted worked on ahead the inauguration.

The Eagle Square was constructed in 1999 to mark take-off of the Fourth Republic and has been the venue for presidential inauguration since then.

The square also served as venue for other activities like Worker’s Day celebration and political rallies among others.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up within and around the square in preparation for the inauguration of a new government on May 29.

Part of the security measures was the restriction of movement  within and around the Eagle Square.

The National Security Adviser, NSA, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno had said there would be restriction of movement at a certain range around the Eagle Square.

Monguno, who heads the Security, Facilities and Intelligence Committee of the Presidential Transition Council, PTC, said there would be traffic diversion around the area.

He also said there would be provision of alternative routes for motorists and pedestrians.

The NSA said, “If you have no business with security you need not be near the vicinity of the programme especially on the inauguration day.”

Access to the venue will only be allowed to accredited persons and designated vehicles on the inauguration day.

Meanwhile, the inauguration day, Monday, May 29, has been declared public holiday.

Source: NAN

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The information is contained in a statement issued by FRSC spokesman, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, on Friday.

He said in addition, the Corps also deployed 155 traffic cones, 15 ambulances, 84 patrolites and a number of reflective tapes to augment the entrenchment of safety and ease of movement across board.

The Corps Marshal, Kazeem stated further, also directed the  personnel  deployed to collaborate with the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force as well as other security organisations detailed for the national programme.

He said the FRSC boss therefore called on road users to comply with restrictions of movement around areas cordoned off by security operatives so as to allow for a seamless inauguration programme.

Areas  to be cordoned for diversion of traffic are: Goodluck Jonathan Expressway by Court of Appeal; Deeper Life Junction; Bond/ Total Filling Station; Federal Capital Development Authority Junction; Finance Junction by by ECOWAS; Ministry of Women Affairs Junction, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Eagle Square ( Phase 1&2).

Others are Kur Mohammed Road/ National Mosque; Abia House Junction; NITEL Junction by Ademola Adetokunbo Street; Gama Junction/ Transcorp, Bayelsa House by Federal High Court; Aso Drive; CEDDI Plaza; NNPC Twin Towers as well as NNPC/ NBS.

The Corps personnel, Kazeem disclosed, would also play active role in piloting dignitaries from the following locations: Old Parade Ground – Eagle Square; International Conference Centre; Eagle Square, and Eagle Square Pavilion.

The Corps, he added, would also engage in strategic crowd control in and around the inauguration venue.

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