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Nationwide protest: SGF and ministers hold an emergency meeting today.

By: Adisa Deborah

The federal government has called an emergency meeting to handle a planned nationwide demonstration on August 1. President Bola Tinubu has urged organizers to postpone the protests so that his administration may execute people-oriented policies.

 

The meeting, which will be attended by ministers, the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, and Special Advisers to the President on Policy and Coordination Hadiza Bala-Usman, Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, and former Minister of Youth and Sports Sunday Dare, is essential.

 

The Federal Government has encouraged Nigerians to cancel a planned protest against the National Minimum Wage Bill, a move condemned by the Presidency and police. Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, underscored the President’s commitment to providing a better future for Nigeria. He noted the bill’s quick passage and the recent approval and distribution of grains to state governments as evidence of the Federal Government’s concern for Nigerians’ well-being. Idris stressed how important it is to ensure that interventions assist those in need.

 

The Federal Government focuses on direct action to benefit people who need it, with President Tinubu expressing enthusiasm for the Student Loan Board and the National Youth Service.

 

The government intends to ensure that every eligible student has access to tertiary education, thus reducing the need for middlemen. The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is already oversupplied, and the government is developing a program to assist young graduates who have yet to find work after completing their National Youth Service program. The administration is determined to ensure that no one is left behind in Nigeria’s quest for progress.

 

Nigeria has seen its fair share of violent protests, like the 2020 #EndSARS demonstrations, which have drawn criticism from Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. He said that there had been many of these protests in Nigeria, which had destroyed property and lives.

 

Egbetokun stated that violent protests had occurred far too often in Nigeria and underlined the necessity of nonviolent protests to stop chaos and violence. Declaring that the police had a duty to safeguard people and their property, he pleaded with the public to oppose the planned protests.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, accused Peter Obi and his allies of orchestrating the planned nationwide anti-government protests.

 

Egbetokun defended the government’s stance, claiming that violent protests are unnecessary and should be avoided. He warned against hoodlums posing as protestors and against inciting a reign of terror.

 

 The Labour Party denied the allegations, and Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, denounced Onanuga’s involvement in the demonstration. Ifoh encouraged the Presidency and security agencies to tread restraint, as any threat to crack down on the people could backfire.

 

Former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar has backed peaceful demonstrations as constitutional rights guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. He gave instances from the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Kenya. Yinka Kufile, Egba High Chief, and Dr Erasmus Ekpang, state Commissioner for Information, have encouraged Cross River State Government people not to take part in the August 1 protest, citing violence following the #EndSARS protests. They underline the government’s commitment to civilian well-being and the importance of providing a safe environment for peaceful demonstrations.