As major stakeholders, including the National Association of the Nigerian Students (NANS) and Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) among others, continue to reject the planned August 1, 2024 nationwide protest, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appealed to Nigerian youth to shelve the move and await federal government’s response to their concerns.
Conveying the president’s message to Nigerians after a meeting with him at the Presidential Villa Abuja, the minister told State House correspondents that Tinubu was not unaware of the voices of young Nigerians, and working diligently to address their grievances.
An unknown group has been mobilising Nigerians on various social media platforms for nationwide protests from August 1, 2024, over the current economic challenge facing the nation.
However, there has been mounting opposition from across the country over the move, as some citizens and groups believe Nigeria cannot afford protests of whatever shade at this time.
…Tinubu’s soothing words
Calling for caution and restraint after a parley with Mr. President, the minister said: “We also discussed the issue of the country generally and Mr. President has asked me to again inform Nigerians that he listens to them, especially the young people that are trying to protest.
“Mr President listens to them, he takes what they say seriously and he is working assiduously to ensure that this country is good not just for today but also for the future.
“The issue of the planned protest, Mr President does not see any need for that, he asked them to shelve that plan and he has asked them to await government’s response to all their pleas, he has listened to them like I said.”
The minister highlighted recent developments to underscore the government’s commitment to addressing national issues.
This, he said, include the National Assembly’s swift passage of the National Minimum Wage Bill, distribution of grains and rice to state governments to alleviate food insecurity, launch of a student loan programme to ensure access to higher education regardless of financial background, and plans for a post-NYSC support scheme for unemployed graduates.
He said the initiatives were part of Tinubu’s broader vision for an inclusive government that leaves no one behind.
“The whole idea is that no one is left behind. It is an all-inclusive government, and the President is determined to ensure that no one is left behind in this attempt to march Nigeria towards progress,” Idris said.
…Count us out, says NANS
And in a related development, the Lagos axis of NANS Tuesday vowed to shun any form of protest that may disturb the peace and stability of the state and the nation at large.
Addressing a World Press Conference in Lagos, chairman, NANS, Lagos axis, Comrade Alimi Lekan Idris, said in the current difficult situation, the students’ body recognises the importance of peace, stability and constructive dialogue in achieving their collective goal, hence the need to eschew violence.
Stating the significant contributions and progress that had been witnessed in the state, the NANS leader said: “We are not in support of any protests against the government of Lagos.”
As a demonstration of the students’ support for the Lagos state government, as well as their commitment to peace and stability, Idris said, “NANS Lagos axis would hold a solidarity walk in support of the state government from August I to 10, to coincidence with the proposed dates of a planned protests by some unknown individuals.”
The body said it understood the frustrations and challenges being faced by many people, adding, “we must all recognise the advancements and opportunities that have been provided to cushion the economic effect on the nation.”
Idris, therefore, urged other states’ governments to emulate Lagos in that regard.
He said the students’ body cannot afford to allow the destructive events, such as EndSARS, to repeat themselves.
The NANS leader added: “Our priority is to defend and preserve the peace and prosperity of Lagos.”
He urged all students to channel their energies into constructive dialogue and positive actions, such as volunteering for community development projects, participating in student-government initiatives, as well as engaging in academic and extra-curricular activities that promote academic excellence.
He expressed the belief that “with time and patience and continued collaboration with the government,” they would see further improvements and solutions to the issues that face them currently.
“Let us stand together in unity and purpose, ensuring that our actions reflect our commitment to a better future for all,” Idris charged the students.
…APC weighs in
And in all of this, the All Progressives Congress (APC) asked Nigerians to hold the state governors accountable for the present hardship being faced in the country.
The party also accused some individuals it described as failed politicians as being the brain behind the planned protest.
Addressing newsmen at the APC National Secretariat Tuesday in Abuja, the Rivers state caretaker committee chairman of the party, Tony Okocha, who admitted that times were hard globally, exonerated President Tinubu as being responsible for the current situation in the country.
Okocha said people should ask their state governors questions on how they were managing the huge allocation accruing to the states.
“The truth be told. Let us face reality here. What is the reason for the plan protest? The reason for the planned protest as I heard is that there is hunger in the land. Is President Tinubu the architect of hunger in the land? Why are we not demonstrating and protesting against our governors?
“In my time as the Chief of Staff, we had allocation to the tune of N6.6billion monthly. That was the maximum we got. But Rivers State today is coasting home to more than N28 billion from federal allocation. So, what happens?
“The removal of fuel subsidy brought in money to the system. And the President didn’t put the money in his pocket. He is giving out. When these money are given to the states, do they think the President should also come and administer its use?,” he queried.
He said: “As a party in Rivers state and patriotic citizens of Nigeria, we would like to seize this opportunity to caution against the planned protest by people I call failed politicians.
“They cannot destroy the APC or the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We should support the President as he is determined to move Nigeria forward. It will take time, but the process is in place.
“We should not compare Nigeria to Kenya or Sudan. The circumstances and indices are different, and our population cannot be compared to those countries. Encouraging protests will only lead to chaos. We advise Nigerians not to join or support what I call failed politicians who think they can destroy the APC or the President.”
…Protest political gimmick, says Wike
The minister said this Tuesday during an interview with journalists after inspecting the Apo-Karshi Road project, awarded some 13 years ago (2011).
He said: “The country was rotten, you know that the country was rotten, and then a government has just come to see what it can do, at least to move from where we are to a certain level. And you say that a miracle must be performed within one year?
“You are here now; we were talking about a contract that was awarded 13 good years ago. What has happened? Nothing. And now a government has come, to say we will fix all these things and we are too much in a haste that it must be done now. That is not possible; the protest is political,” said the minister.
He also threw tantrums at those he called political jobbers seeking relevance ahead of the 2027 elections.
The minister said: “Everyone is not happy that there is hunger, everyone is not happy with the unemployment, but this unemployment was not started or was not created by this administration. The administration is just trying to put things together, which of course will take some time.
“And you know, I agree with Nigerians, when you’re hungry, you don’t want to listen to anything again because you’re hungry. But, understand that somebody is trying to solve that problem of hunger. So, let us not listen to political protests, political jobbers, who just want to be popular. We are going to elections very soon, and these are gimmicks, political gimmicks…..Viêw_ More
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