- No room for violent protest, says IG
- C/River ‘yet to recover from #ENDSARS’
- Wike: plan is politically-motivated
Those planning an anti-government protest have been told to shelve the idea and await the government’s response.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday urged Nigerians to give the government more time for economic policies to bear fruit.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike said the protest was politically motivated.
Also yesterday, students said they would organise a solidarity rally in support of the government in Lagos.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, who cautioned against a violent protest, vowed not to allow anarchy.
The Cross River State government vowed to crack down on any violent protest, saying it was yet to recover from the massive destruction of infrastructure during the 2020 #ENDSARS protest.
The President, who spoke through Minister for Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, appealed to Nigerians for understanding and more time to enable him to tackle the mounting challenges and clear the path to a new lease of life.
As part of measures to alleviate the economic crisis, the president outlined relief action plans targeted at vulnerable Nigerians, students and young graduates.
Idris conveyed the President’s message while speaking with reporters at the State House in Abuja.
He said President Tinubu was not aloof to the grievances of those planning the protest, adding that he is committed to ensuring a better future for Nigeria.
The minister alluded to the quick passage of the National Minimum Wage Bill by the National Assembly as evidence of President Tinubu’s commitment to swift action.
The protest, scheduled for August 1, is being organised by unidentified individuals and groups, who are mobilising on social media.
Idris urged the youths to give the President more time to implement his people-oriented plans, emphasising that the protest was unnecessary because the government was already responding to their pleas.
He 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 trying to protest.
“Mr President is listening 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 has asked them to shelve that plan.
“He asked them to await the government’s response to all their pleas. He has listened to them and a lot is happening.
“Only today (yesterday), the National Assembly expeditiously passed the Bill on National Minimum Wage. You can see how the President is working. It was transmitted only yesterday (Monday). It has been passed.
“A lot of other interventions that the President has put in place are also going to be looked at expeditiously, in the interest of Nigerians.
“So, there’s no need for a strike. The young people out there should listen to the President and allow more time to see to the realisation of all the goodies he has for them.”
Reeling out other interventionist programmes, the minister said the Federal Government would make sure that intended beneficiaries savour them directly without intermediaries.
The minister said the recent approval and delivery of grains and rice to state governments were the first step in this direction.
Idris stressed “For example, you saw that the Federal Government approved grains and rice for state governments. It was delivered to them expeditiously also.
“It is just the necessary first step. The government is going to continue in that direction, supporting them and ensuring that whatever interventions the Federal Government has put in place go to those that should benefit. It is very important that it is being put out.
“The Federal Government is looking at strategies that every intervention would go directly to those who benefit from those interventions, not middlemen intervening along the way.”
Idris drew attention to the Student Loan Board set up to ensure that every eligible student can access tertiary education without financial constraints.
He added: “Number two, you heard about the student loan board that was launched by the President. He is very passionate about deepening that. Everyone that should go to school will have the opportunity to go to school.
“No longer will young, able-bodied men and women who have passed the examinations be unable to attend tertiary institutions because their parents cannot pay their fees.
“This is a thing of the past. The government is very desirous of ensuring that happens. You know the provision that was made to the NELFUND.
“Already, we have in excess of what is required today and the more the people are requiring that, the more the President will also give.
“Furthermore, the government is perfecting a scheme to support young graduates who are yet to secure employment after completing their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. This initiative is part of the administration’s commitment to leaving no one behind in its quest for progress.
“There is also the intervention the President is working out for those young men and women who have finished school, but who are yet to get employed, post-NYSC. For example, there is a scheme the government is perfecting now and that is also going to be pushed fast so that all those young men and women who have finished school, graduates of universities and polytechnics that are unable to get jobs, will continue to be supported by the government until such a time that those jobs are offered to them.”
No room for violence, says IG
Egbetokun said the proposed nationwide protest was ill-advised, urging Nigerians to shun it.
He said the police would respond most professionally.
Egbetokun said: “We are prepared and I want to assure you that we will manage the protest in the most professional manner.
“If the protest is peaceful, you will see us protecting the protesters as long as they remain peaceful.”
The Inspector-General, who spoke at a meeting with the FCT commissioner of Police, said Nigeria already had its fair share of violent protests, which produced dastardly consequences.
He recalled that the #EndSARS protest aggravated crime rates and insecurity in many parts of the country.
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Egbetokun said: “Some groups of people, self-appointed crusaders and influencers, have been strategising and mobilising potential protesters to unleash terror in the land under the guise of replicating the recent Kenya protests.
“While the Force acknowledges the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in our constitution, we must ensure that these protests do not snowball into violence or disorder.
“As a nation, we have had more than our fair share of violent protests, with rather dastardly consequences.
“The last #EndSars protest led to one-tenth destruction of public assets, including police stations, courts, and transport infrastructure, and the loss of several lives.
“Tales of sorrow, tears, and blood followed what was supposedly intended to be a well-intentioned exercise.
“Rather than lead to any positive outcome, #EndSars merely aggravated crime rates and insecurity in several parts of the country.
“Indeed, we are yet to fully recover from the huge economic losses and deep-seated psychological and emotional trauma inflicted upon our people by these protests.”
Egbetokun, who urged Nigerians to jettison the protest, said the police have the responsibility to protect citizens and their properties.
He said: “Our position is that the proposed violent protests are ill-advised and should be jettisoned fortuitously.
“We have the responsibility to protect properties and everyone, irrespective of their race, colour, ethnicity, or tribe, who are lawfully embarking on their daily activities.
“We will not sit back and fold our arms to watch violent persons unleash violence on our peaceful communities or destroy any of our national critical infrastructure and assets again.”
The Inspector-General warned that any hoodlum attempting to disguise themselves as protesters will be apprehended.
He added: “We have mapped out plans to ensure that no individual or group succeeds in fostering a reign of terror and anarchy on other law-abiding and dissolving Nigerians.
“Consequently, I want to seize this opportunity to sound the note of serious warning to hoodlums who may want to take laws into their own hands in the name of protests. Do not worry.”
Wike: it is politically motivated
Wike expressed displeasure over the proposed protest, saying it is politically motivated.
The minister spoke while inspecting the Apo-Karshi road in the nation’s capital.
He urged Nigerians to be patient, wondering why many want everything to be done in one day.
Wike said since the inception of the Tinubu Administration, Nigerians have witnessed positive changes in governance.
He said: “You can see that the planned protest is political and nothing more. We need to be patient with this government. Let us tell ourselves the simple truth.
“If we are playing politics, let us know that we are playing politics. If we want to be sincere to ourselves, let us be sincere by helping our country.
“The country was bad. And a government has just come to see what can be done to move from where we are to a certain level and you are saying that miracles must be performed within one year.
“Yes everybody is not happy that there is hunger and unemployment, but this unemployment was not created by this administration. Let us not listen to political jobbers.”
Students plan solidarity rally in Lagos
NANS, which distanced itself from the protest, unfolded plans for a solidarity rally for Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Chairman of NANS, Lagos Axis, Lekan Alimi, described the planned protests as ‘absolutely uncalled for.’
He said: “While it is our democratic right to voice our concern, it is also important to acknowledge the strides and successes achieved through the collaborative efforts of the Lagos State government, through the Ministry of Tertiary Education.
“After extensive deliberations, we have come in unison and in one voice to say ‘Thank You Lagos’ for being prompt and responsive to many needs of the people through the THEMES+ Agenda.
“It is also important to note that the governor has maintained open lines of communication with student leaders, as evidenced by the recent parley with Mr. Governor.
“This ongoing engagement highlights a genuine interest in addressing our concerns and finding solutions that benefit us all.
“In these trying times, it is crucial that we remember the importance of stability, peace, and constructive dialogue in achieving our collective goals.
“Given these significant contributions and the progress we have witnessed, we strongly state that we are not in support of any protest against the government in Lagos.
“We understand the frustrations and challenges faced by many, but we must also recognise the advancements and opportunities that have been provided to cushion the economic effect on the nation, and we hope other states can emulate the Lagos State Government.
“We cannot afford to let the destructive events of the past, such as the #EndSARS protests, repeat themselves. Our priority is to defend and preserve the peace and prosperity of Lagos.
“We urge all students to channel their energies into constructive dialogue and positive action, such as volunteering for community development projects, participating in student-government initiatives, and engaging in academic and extracurricular activities that promote excellence.”
Chairman of the National Female Students Association of Nigeria (Lagos chapter), Comrade Titilayo Ekundayo, said: “Lagos has been at peace and will continue to be at peace. We students are saying no to protests in Lagos State.
“We appreciate Governor Sanwo-Olu for giving opportunities to women in the state, and we female students will shun any form of protest.”
President of the National Association of Lagos State Students, Comrade Hafiz Olufowobi, said: “Governor Sanwo-Olu has tried his best to ease hardship on students across Lagos State. We are not in support of any protest. This is our state, and we don’t have anywhere to go if #EndSARS happens again. We are saying no to protest in my state.”
C/River govt: We won’t allow destruction of public property
The Cross River State Government appealed to youths to shun the protest in appreciation of the empowerment programmes of Governor Bassey Otu.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang, said what was important was for the people to support the government to achieve more for the state.
The statement added: “Government recalls the huge destruction recorded in Cross River State during the October 2020 END-SARS mass protest allegedly perpetrated by non-indigenes, including burning and breaking down of public infrastructure in federal and state establishments such as Cross River State Newspaper Corporation, Ministry of Information, State Warehouses, CICC, WAEC, NIMC.
“Others are: General Hospital, Calabar, Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital, TINAPA Resort, Cross River Basin Development Authority, Ministry of Works Buildings, some buildings in the University of Calabar, and residential houses of prominent politicians.
“The state is yet to recover fully from the aftermath of these #ENDSARS destruction and will not fold its arms and allow any misguided group or individuals to destroy our state.”
Protest is human right, says Atiku
Atiku said Nigerians have the right to protest, adding that its suppression is unconstitutional.
In a statement on his X handle, he said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the rights of citizens to protest are enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and affirmed by our courts.”
Atiku cited Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, saying that it “unequivocally guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association.”
He added: “It is deeply ironic that those who now seek to stifle these rights were themselves leading protests in 2012.
“A responsible government must ensure a safe and secure environment for citizens to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful protest.
“Any attempt to suppress these rights is not only unconstitutional but a direct affront to our democracy.”
‘Protest can lead to civil unrest’
At a conference in Kaduna organised by the Arewa Centre for Research and Historical Documentation, Northern stakeholders said the protest can lead to civil unrest similar to those of Syria, Yemen and Sudan.
Its director, Prof. Shuaibu Shehu, said: “We are equally aware of the societal disruptions that can arise from protests that escalate into violence and unrest.
“The experiences of these nations illustrate how civil strife can lead to loss of lives, widespread displacement, economic decline, and the erosion of social cohesion.
“We urge all concerned parties, including government representatives, civil society organisations and citizens to engage in open and inclusive dialogue to address the underlying issues and concerns that may drive protests.”