President Bola Tinubu has emphatically stated that his administration will not tolerate any protests that result in the destruction of lives and property. His comments came amid rising tensions over planned nationwide protests against economic hardships in the country.
President Tinubu made these remarks during a series of meetings held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He met with governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and traditional rulers, aiming to avert the planned protests.
Before meeting with the President, the APC governors had issued warnings against the protests, urging organizers to cancel them given the volatile situation in the country.
The Department of State Services (DSS) also issued a stern warning against the protests, citing intelligence reports that suggested plans to incite violence. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) echoed these concerns, drawing parallels to the unrest seen in Kenya.
Despite these warnings, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) directed its 104 affiliated youth organizations to prepare for the protest scheduled for August 1. The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) stated it would not participate but called on the police to protect the protesters and urged President Tinubu to reconsider his economic policies.
President Tinubu, while receiving Letters of Credence from the new U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, Jr., emphasized the importance of democracy and peaceful protest. “We believe in democracy and freedom…we will never encourage any protests that lead to the destruction of lives and property,” he said.
The President also had a crucial meeting with the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) led by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma. While the exact agenda was not disclosed, it was reportedly related to the upcoming protest. Several high-profile officials, including the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Finance, and various governors, attended the meeting.
Additionally, Tinubu convened a meeting with traditional rulers, including the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife. The Ooni urged the youth to protest peacefully and avoid letting the protests be hijacked by those with malicious intentions.
Following the traditional rulers’ meeting, the DSS issued a statement identifying sponsors of the protest and warning against it. “While peaceful protest is a democratic right, the service has confirmed a sinister plan to infiltrate the protest and cause chaos,” the statement read.
Similarly, Major General Edward Buba from the DHQ warned that the protest could be hijacked by violent elements, drawing similarities to the unrest in Kenya. He assured that the military would prevent any descent into chaos.
The APC governors also appealed to the youth to desist from protesting. Governor Uzodimma urged citizens to support the government’s efforts to address economic challenges, promising that better times were ahead.
Despite these appeals, the NYCN maintained its stance, urging its affiliated organizations to stand by for the protest. They cited rising inflation, unemployment, and general hardship as reasons for the widespread agitation among the youth.
