Interventions have continued to scale up ahead of the planned 10 days nationwide protest against hardship and bad governance under President Bola Tinubu, who assumed office nearly months ago, on May 29, 2023.
Although without known faces or identifiable leadership, some youths in the country had announced countrywide protests several weeks ago against the current economic difficulties in the land.
But the federal government and several stakeholders stood against the idea, worried that it could be hijacked and turned violent as was with some previous experiences.
However, while many prominent Nigerians, institutions, groups, and some government functionaries asked that the proposed demonstration be shelved, and the president be given more time to try to resolve the issues raised, some among the youth insisted on going ahead with the protest.
Part of the latest interventions was Tinubu’s approval for the creation of a youth secretariat for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mitigate tension among the youth.
FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, disclosed the measure on Monday in Bwari Area Council during a town hall meeting to dissuade the youth of Bwari and AMAC from joining the planned nationwide demonstrations billed to commence on Thursday.
The proposed youth secretariat would be the equivalent of a state ministry and will be headed by a mandate secretary on the same level as a state commissioner.
Wike told the town hall meeting, “I have good news for you. Following your complaints, I approached the president and he has graciously approved the creation of a youth secretariat for the FCT.”
The minister also said he had referred to the president the residents’ complaint about a Public Complaints Commission appointment, which was held by an FCT youth, but was later taken to Kogi State.
He stated that the president had assured him that he would look into the matter and make amends.
Wike, who addressed the meeting after inspecting a 29-kilometre road construction in Paikon Kore in Kwali Area Council, also said approval had been given for the creation of one additional police station in each of the six area councils in order to improve security.
He said, “Security is a critical priority in the renewed hope agenda. One police station each has been approved to be built in each area council.”
On the issue of maginalisation, as alleged by the youth of Bwari Area Council, Wikesaid, “Nobody likes injustice, that is what informed my policy of spreading amenities. When you are happy, allow your neighbour to be happy too, that is what brings peace.”
Wike urged the youth of Bwari and AMAC not to join the planned nationwide protests, saying, “An economy that was down for decades cannot be fixed in one year, give us time.”
Meanwhile, there was intense tension in Abuja yesterday, as fierce-looking soldiers took over some of the roads to forestall breakdown of law during the nationwide protest.
A company of soldiers in armoured personnel vehicles fitted with guns paraded major roads of Bwari Area Council.
The story was the same at Abuja-Keffi Road, where a roadblock mounted by soldiers for a stop-and-search exercise, early in the morning by Mogadishu Barracks, before AYA Junction, caused a heavy traffic jam that extended to Karu and Nyanyan.
Akpabio Summons Emergency Plenary as Senators, Barau, Kalu, SaniUrge Restraint
As part of the interventions to try to forestall the proposed protests, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, summoned an emergency plenary of the upper chamber for Wednesday.
The notice of the sitting was contained in an internal memorandum from Senate Clerk, Mr. Chinedu Akubueze.
The nemo read, “Dear Distinguished Senators, the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, has directed that an emergency plenary sitting of the Senate be convened on Wednesday 31 at 12 noon.
“Distinguished Senators are requested to make all necessary arrangements to attend as issues of national importance will be discussed.
“We regret all inconveniences that this interruption of the recess will cause. Thanks for your usual understanding.”
The Senate and House of Representatives had on July 23 commenced their recess, which will end on September 17.
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, appealed to organisers of the planned nationwide protest to reconsider their decision and shelve the idea so that the peace in the country would not be disrupted.
Barau, who is the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, said Tinubu was making genuine efforts to address the country’s challenges.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, the deputy senate president urged promoters of the demonstrations to give the government more time to implement its programmes and policies as captured in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Similarly, Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation, Orji Kalu, urged Nigerians to exercise restraint over the proposed nationwide protests.
Kalu stated, “I stand with you, but with peace through conversations and dialogue without going the path of violence to resolve whatever issues we have.
“This is a great country, and we are not going to bring it down with any act of violence where discourse can win and bring all of us together.”
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Mohammed Musa, also appealed to his constituents to embrace peace and dialogue instead of participating in the planned national protest against hunger and high cost of living.
Musa, in a statement circulated to his constituents on Sunday, said, “Nigeria stands at a critical juncture in the light of the call for national protest.” He urged the organisersand participants “to embrace peace and dialogue as the paramount instruments for resolving our differences and addressing our grievances”.
In the statement titled, “Appeal for Peace and Dialogue in the Face of National Protest,” Musa expressed the belief that “Constructive engagement with the government, rather than confrontation, is the most effective means of achieving our objectives and propelling our nation towards stability and prosperity”.
House to Reconvene on Wednesday
The House of Representatives, too, was slated to reconvene on Wednesday over issues of national importance, particularly, the proposed protests.
According to a statement by Chairman of House Committee on Media and Publicity, Hon. Akin Rotimi, the directive was issued by Speaker of the House, Hon. TajudeenAbbas.
Rotimi said, “Honourable members have been duly summoned from their respective constituencies to attend this crucial session. This directive was communicated through an internal memorandum issued by the Clerk of the House, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, Esq., on Sunday.
“The House had commenced its annual recess on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. The annual recess provides Honourable Members with the opportunity to engage extensively with their constituencies, ensuring that the legislative process remains attuned to public input.
“This period also allows for in-depth engagements at the grassroots, facilitating a deeper understanding of the constituents’ needs and priorities.
“It is, however, customary for the House to reconvene from recess to address pressing national issues. The forthcoming session will focus on critical matters requiring immediate legislative attention.
“Honourable Members are expected to make the necessary arrangements to ensure their presence.
“Additionally, the reconvening will facilitate a significant engagement with young Nigerians through a town hall meeting hosted by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., on Wednesday at the National Assembly.
“Organised in collaboration with YIAGA Africa and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung(KAS), the town hall will bring together youth leaders, students from tertiary institutions, young professionals, and representatives from various youth organisationsand civil society groups.
“The 10th House of Representatives remains steadfast in its commitment to representing the interests of the Nigerian people and advancing the nation’s development.”
Afenifere Not in Support of Planned Protest
Pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, said it did not support the planned protest.
In a statement issued in Akure on Monday by its national organising secretary, AbagunOmololu, Afenifere alleged that the planned protest had taken on a clear sinister dimension outside the tenets of constructive engagement.
Omololu said the group recognised that Nigerians were experiencing economic challenges and hunger, but contended that many countries were also battling a global economic downturn,
The statement said, “Afenifere acknowledges the realities of economic challenges and hunger in the land, while we also cannot deny that there is a global economic downturn ravaging most nations of the world, developed, developing or underdeveloped alike.
“We, therefore, call on the government at the federal and subnational levels to step up efforts to address these issues with all in their power. It is every citizen’s right to protest as a way of headlining their grievances to the government.”
NYSC: We’re Taking Necessary Steps to Protect Corps Members
The National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), yesterday, said it was taking necessary measures to guarantee the safety of all youth corps members ahead of the planned nationwide protest.
The NYSC position was necessitated by reports that the scheme had circulated memos to the effect that it would punish any corps member that took part in the protest and that it had also suspended the monthly biometrics clearance done by corps members as a result of the impending protest.
Director, Press and Public Relations (DPPR), Mr. Eddy Megwa, confirmed to THISDAY by telephone that the scheme had taken all the necessary measures to guarantee the lives and safety of corps members.
Megwa stated, “The life of one youth is worth more than the protest and we are doing everything necessary to guarantee the lives of our youths. You know these youths, we ask them not to travel at night and yet they still travel at night. If you have a younger one who is serving, would you ask the person to join the protest?”
Police Vow to Resist Violent Protest
Nigeria Police, on Monday, vowed to resist any form of violent protest in the country, while enumerating the severe negative effects that violent demonstrations can have on society.
A statement by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, highlighted several critical points that underscored the importance of maintaining peace and order during protests.
Signed by force spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the statement said, “It is not only in Nigeria that there is hardship. It is a global meltdown. Is the government doing anything about it? Yes! This is what a responsive government will do.”
Egbetokun stressed that while the current economic challenges were not unique to Nigeria, the government was actively working to mitigate their effect and provide relief to the citizens.
Reflecting on the 2020 EndSARS protest, the IGP stated, “Where police stations were burnt down, criminals took over. Arms looted were in the wrong hands, and armed robbers took over. Women could no longer walk freely once it is 7pm.”
He warned that the destruction of police infrastructure led to a breakdown in law and order, leaving communities vulnerable to criminal activities.
The IGP said, “There are enough lessons to learn from previous violent protests in Nigeria. I urge citizens to remember the chaos and suffering that followed such events. Serious dangers come with unchecked demonstrations.”
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