An emergency meeting has been set by the Federal Government for Wednesday morning in reaction to a planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1.
President Bola Tinubu has urged the organizers to postpone the protests and allow his administration more time to implement programs for the people’s benefit.
A circular shared with NewsNow on Tuesday by sources familiar with the meeting stated that all ministers, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as the Special Advisers to the President including Hadiza Bala-Usman, Bayo Onanuga, and Sunday Dare, were among those invited for the meeting.
The circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, Richard Pheelangwah, dated July 23, 2024, was titled, ‘Planned Nationwide Protest.’
It read, “I am directed to invite you to attend a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the above subject slated as follows: July 24, 2024, Time: 10 am prompt, Venue: Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Conference Room.
“Attendance is mandatory. Please, accept the warm regards of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”
The scheduled meeting comes amidst calls for nationwide protests starting August 1 due to the increasing cost of living and economic challenges in the country, attributed to the removal of the fuel subsidy, the floating of the naira, and other economic reforms under the Tinubu administration.
The planned demonstration, inspired by recent protests in Kenya, is gaining traction on social media with hashtags like ‘EndBadGovernance,’ ‘TinubuMustGo,’ and ‘#Revolution2024.’
However, the Presidency and police authorities have urged the youth to abandon the plan, considering it ill-advised.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, conveyed the President’s plea to Nigerians during an interview with State House correspondents after meeting Tinubu.
He mentioned the swift passage of the National Minimum Wage Bill by the National Assembly and the recent distribution of grains to state governments as evidence of the President’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians.
Tinubu’s Appeal
Idris further said, “Mr President has asked me to inform Nigerians again that he is attentive to their concerns, especially the young protesters.
“For example, the government swiftly provided grains and rice to state governments as requested.
“As I mentioned earlier, this is just the beginning; the government will continue in this direction to support and ensure that all interventions benefit the intended recipients.”
The minister also highlighted President Tinubu’s enthusiasm for the recently launched Student Loan Board to facilitate access to tertiary education for eligible students.
“The era where students miss out on higher education due to financial constraints is over. The government is keen on making this happen. The provision made to NELFUND (Nigerian Education Loan Fund) is already exceeding current demands and will be increased further,” he added.
Additionally, the Federal Government disclosed plans to support unemployed young graduates post-NYSC as part of its inclusive development agenda.
The government is designing a scheme to support graduates from universities and polytechnics who are jobless after their National Youth Service until they secure employment.
“The President is dedicated to ensuring no one is left behind in Nigeria’s progress,” assured Idris.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, emphasized the consequences of violent protests during a meeting with police commissioners in Abuja, citing the negative impact of #EndSARS protests in 2020 on lives and properties.
Egbetokun stated, “There are concerns about potential violent protests orchestrated by self-proclaimed activists, inspired by recent events in Kenya, which we must address to prevent chaos and maintain national security.
The aftermath of the #EndSars protests, intended to be peaceful, resulted in increased crime rates and insecurity rather than positive outcomes. The economic losses and deep emotional trauma inflicted on the population are still being felt.
Citizens are urged to reconsider planned protests, with the reminder that the police are responsible for protecting both individuals and properties.
Emphasizing the need to avoid violent protests, Egbetokun stated that safeguarding public safety and critical infrastructure is paramount. Stringent measures are being implemented to apprehend any individuals attempting to incite violence under the guise of protests.
Egbetokun’s Warning
Strategies are in place to prevent any group or individual from causing chaos and anarchy through violent activities disguised as protests. Hoodlums looking to disrupt peace will face repercussions, as cautioned by Egbetokun.
In contrast, calls for nationwide protests have been deemed treasonable by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. He accused certain political figures of orchestrating the protests and labeled them as anarchists rather than advocates of democracy.
Despite these claims, the Labour Party denied involvement in the planned anti-government protests, criticizing the accusations linking them to the unrest.
LP’s Stance Against Violence
The Labour Party clarified its position against violent protests while advocating for peaceful demonstrations, citing the right to freedom of speech and assembly within a democratic society.
Prominent figures like former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party have supported peaceful protests as citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed right. Atiku emphasized the lawful basis for public demonstrations and criticized attempts to impede such actions.
The government’s role in ensuring a safe environment for peaceful protests was highlighted, with warnings against suppressing citizens’ rights to express their grievances.
Various perspectives on the protests have emerged, with some cautioning against the use of violence to address grievances. The importance of allowing peaceful expressions of dissent in a democratic setting has been underscored.
Leaders urged caution in handling the protests, emphasizing the need to address underlying issues causing public discontent rather than resorting to forceful measures.
Calls to maintain peace and avoid violent disruptions during protests have been echoed by community leaders and public figures alike, highlighting the significance of resolving issues through dialogue and non-violent means
- Additional report by: Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis, Abdulrahman Zakariyau, Nathaniel Shaibu, Bankole Taiwo, and Ted Odogwu