Abuja residents chorused “we are hungry” intermitently as Federal Capital Territory minister, Nyesom Wike, begged them not to join August 1 protests over economic hardships charscterisnf by spiking cost of living in Nigeria.

“We are hungry, we are hungry,” some Abuja residents chorused as Mr Wike urged them not to join Ausgut protests in a video seen on social media on Saturday.

Peoples Gazette could not verify where in Abuja the video was recorded. However, Mr Wike was seen in the video begging and pacifying hungry citizens not to join the protests over cost of living crisis scheduled for August 1-10.

“I’m begging you all,” Mr Wike said as he urged the crowd to listen to him, while “we are hungry” shouts disrupted the minister’s speech.

Mr Wike said “Hunger has been since before now. Ours is to support the government to succeed. I know the pain you are passing through. It is your sacrifice for the country.

He added, “I know the president. Just be patient. Hope is coming back. This hunger will reduce very soon. I believed in Tinubu’s government.”

Mr Wike had earlier warned against protest in Abuja, saying the FCT is unavailable for protests. His latest plea comes as momentum for the nationwide protests peaked.

The FCT minister’s plea to Abuja residents comes from President Bola Tinubu’s government pushback against planned protests over the cost of living crisis under his watch.

Since the protest was announced, Mr Tinubu has rallied clerics, religious associations and traditional rulers to dissuade Nigerians from protesting over high cost of living that has seen food prices shoot through the roof nationwide.