### Federal Government Convenes Emergency Meeting Over Planned Nationwide Protest
The Federal Government has scheduled an emergency meeting for Wednesday morning in response to a planned nationwide protest set for August 1. This decision follows President Bola Tinubu’s plea to the organizers to postpone the protests, allowing his administration more time to implement people-oriented programs.
A circular, shared with The PUNCH on Tuesday by informed sources, indicated that all ministers, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the 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, were invited to the meeting.
The circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, Richard Pheelangwah, and dated July 23, 2024, was titled “Planned Nationwide Protest.” It read:
“I am directed to invite you to attend a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the above subject slated as follows: July 24, 2024, Time: 10 am prompt, Venue: Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Conference Room. Attendance is mandatory. Please, accept the warm regards of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”
The planned protests, inspired by recent demonstrations in Kenya, have gained significant traction on social media under hashtags like #EndBadGovernance, #TinubuMustGo, and #Revolution2024. The protests are in response to the rising cost of living and economic hardships attributed to the removal of fuel subsidies, the floating of the naira, and other economic reforms by the Tinubu administration.
In an interview with State House correspondents, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, conveyed President Tinubu’s plea to Nigerians to call off the protests and give the government time to respond to their concerns. Idris emphasized the President’s commitment to addressing the grievances and highlighted recent government actions, such as the approval of the National Minimum Wage Bill and the distribution of grains to state governments, as evidence of this commitment.
Idris stated, “On 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 the government’s response to all their pleas. So, there is no need for a strike. The young people out there should listen to the President and allow the President more time to see to the realization of all the goodies he has for them.”
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also urged citizens to abandon the planned protests, recalling the destructive outcomes of the 2020 #EndSARS protests. He warned that the police would not tolerate any actions that might lead to violence or disruption.
In addition, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described calls for the protests as treasonable and accused Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and his supporters of instigating the protests. Onanuga alleged that their actions were not democratic but anarchistic.
The Labour Party, however, denied any involvement in the planned protests, emphasizing the importance of peaceful demonstrations and cautioning against any violent actions. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, affirmed the constitutional right to peaceful protests and criticized attempts to suppress these rights.
Meanwhile, Cross River State and other stakeholders, including businessman Yinka Kufile, have urged residents to avoid participation in the protest, citing the potential for violence and economic disruption.
(Punch)