Abuja, Nigeria – The Minister for Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged Nigerians to remain patient with the Federal Government as a nationwide protest looms in August. The appeal followed a meeting on Wednesday with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Idris emphasized the government’s commitment to engaging with all stakeholders regarding the protest. “The government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu believes in everyone’s freedom within the laws to do what he thinks is right for him. Therefore, the President is not an opponent of protest of any kind but the President is an opponent of violence and anything that will negatively hamper the wellbeing of Nigerians,” Idris stated, as conveyed by his spokesperson, Rabiu Ibrahim.
Idris further explained that while the right to protest is constitutionally guaranteed, the government is concerned about potential violence. “Why everybody is very cautious and very wary of this national protest is because we have seen what has happened around the world. We know that it’s almost impossible to hold this protest and then have peace at the end of the day. We cannot do that because some people are waiting to take the laws into their own hands,” he added.
The minister noted that the Tinubu administration is committed to ensuring public order and safeguarding the rights of all citizens. He assured that the President is aware of the genuine concerns and grievances expressed by Nigerians and is actively working to implement policies to alleviate their challenges.
President Bola Tinubu has also called for the postponement of the planned ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest. The President’s message, delivered by Idris, urged organizers to await the government’s response to their complaints. “The issue of the planned protest, Mr. President does not see any need for that. He’s asked them to shelve that plan. He’s asked them to await the government’s response to all their pleas,” Idris conveyed at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.
Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana has advised the Federal Government to engage in dialogue with the leaders of the planned protest instead of issuing threats. “The government should try to identify the leaders of the movement and then engage them. There are demands that are being made, and the government should address these demands,” Falana stated on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Falana emphasized the importance of government officials addressing the nation and informing citizens about measures being taken to alleviate economic hardship. “Between now and the first of August is still a long way, and I understand the government is going to address the nation. It is also important for governors to really come out and let the people know what they are doing to address hardship in the country which nobody is denying,” he said.
The protest, driven by rising economic hardship and gaining traction on social media, is scheduled for August and will span all states of the Federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Organizers remain faceless, but the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigeria Police Force, and House of Representatives have all warned against the demonstration.
With prices of food and basic commodities skyrocketing in recent months due to the government’s petrol subsidy removal and forex unification policies, Nigerians are grappling with one of the country’s worst inflation and economic crises. Amidst this backdrop, discontented youths are planning to embark on a nationwide protest to voice their frustrations over hardship, poverty, and high living costs.
