Hardship: Tension heightens as organizers insist on nationwide protest
The inspector-general of police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, has said it has identified foreign sponsors of this planned protest with the ulterior motives of causing mayhem and violent demonstrations, which could lead to massive destruction of lives and properties across the country.
The IGP, however, did not reveal the identities of the alleged sponsors
He also said the leaders of different groups intending to protest on August 1, 2024, must register with the police command in their respective states.
The IGP stated this while briefing journalists in Abuja on the preparations for the upcoming protests nationwide.
The IGP, who acknowledged the rights of citizens to protest, said all peaceful protesters must protected, and those who fail to meet the guidelines means they have ulterior motives.
IGP Egbetokun further said all protesting groups must also provide the protest movement’s intended venue, routes and locations for proper coordination.
Meanwhile, in anticipation of the planned nationwide protest by some human rights activists and Nigerian youths to publicly express their displeasure over hunger and hardship, the Nigeria Police Force, FCT command has deployed 4,200 personnel.
The police spokesperson FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said the deployment of the FCT deployed material and human resources at the command’s disposal across the nooks and crannies of the nation’s capital.
She said the proactive deployment aims to ensure public safety, protect protesters, and prevent non-state actors from hijacking protests. The deployment, added, is characterised by visible policing and the deployment of explosive ordinance devices (EOD) experts and personnel at various strategic locations, raids on identified black spots, uncompleted buildings/shanties, stop and search, vehicular and foot patrol and synergy with sister security agencies.
Also, the commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth Igweh, while acknowledging residents’ right to protest, advised that it should be peaceful.
The FCT police boss also vowed to resist all forms of violent protest and lawlessness, as the police will not be stampeded into allowing the destruction of public and private properties or loss of lives.
Residents are also urged to be vigilant and take advantage of the Police emergency lines to report suspicious activities through:
08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, 07057337653PCB: 09022222352, CRU: 08107314192.
Tompolo Appeals To Nigerians To Shelve Proposed Protest
The Chairman of Tanita Security Services Nigeria Limited and the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), has appealed to those behind the planned August 1st to 10th, 2024nationwide protest to shelve it in the interest of the nation and people
In a press statement on Friday, August 26th, 2024, the Tanita boss, while adding his voice to all-meaning Nigerians, including traditional rulers, on call to shelve the proposed hardship protest, admitted that hunger and hardship exist in the country.
But he quickly pointed out that hunger and hardship never started today, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was working hard to revamp the economy with well-thought-out policies and programmes. These addressed the issues of the economy and security, which are the basis of other problems in the country.
“I am aware of Mr. President’s efforts to get things right in the country, and things are improving. For instance, there has been significant improvement in the oil and gas sector in the last year, which is still the primary source of our economy.
“I know the citizenry’s right to protest government policies and programmes in any country. It is one sure way for the citizens to participate effectively in governance by checking the excesses of any government.”
“However, the organisers of this proposed hardship protest must know that the timing is wrong, and the protest may cause more harm than good, as security reports have indicated that unscrupulous elements will hijack it.
“Against this background, I have joined other Patriotic Nigerians to appeal to prospective protesters to call off the proposed protest and engage governments at all levels to find lasting solutions to the country’s problems’.
“You must agree with me that the threat of protest only has achieved its aim, as Mr President has said loudly and clearly, that he has heard the voice of prospective protesters. After all, it is better to chatter than war-war,” the Tantita boss said.
NANS To Shun Protest
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has pledged not to get involved in the protest over hardship in the country on August 1.
NANS National President Lucky Emonefe disclosed this in a Friday meeting in Abuja with the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.
Sunday, Asefon, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, led the meeting.
Emonefe acknowledged the significant hardship being experienced by citizens across the country due to the government’s implementation of recent reforms and policies.
He said the measures, though aimed at steering the nation towards sustainable development, had undoubtedly brought about economic challenges that had impacted every Nigerian household.
Emonefe urged President Bola Tinubu to establish a mechanism to alleviate Nigerians’ hunger caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023.
“We want to say that there is hunger in the land, and Nigerian students are most affected. We are aware that palliatives were given to governors.
“We are saying that as the government distributes palliatives, they should remember the student constituencies.
“Though we have challenges, we want to say that we have resolved to be law abiding and not to join any chaos in society,” he said.
Earlier, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, acknowledged the rising cost of living in the country.
Mamman said that the government had been rolling out palliatives and measures to cushion the hardship on Nigerians.
According to him, the federal government has launched an expanded transformative scholarship programme to support the education of 45,000 students nationwide.
Mamman said the initiative highlighted the federal government’s commitment to broadening educational access and advancing Nigerian youth’s academic and professional growth.
Additionally, Mamman outlined the critical initiatives of President Bola Tinubu, including improvements in campus infrastructure, welfare packages for unemployed graduates
He also mentioned considering discounted electricity bills for universities and updating the curriculum to cover all education sectors under the DOTS Project.
“The DOTS framework aims to enhance educational data management, support and development for teachers, skills infusion, and training from primary through tertiary education.
“The government is also focusing on integrating out-of-school children into the education system and supporting job-seeking graduates.
“Furthermore, the federal government has established Safe Schools Centres to ensure the safety of students,’’ he said.
Youth Group Calls For Suspension Of Planned Nationwide Protest
The North East Youth Ambassador, a political pressure group, has called on the Nigerian youth to suspend their planned peaceful protest scheduled for next week and resort to dialogue for an amicable solution to the biting being experienced by Nigerians commonly.
“We urge all youth in the country, particularly the North East, to halt their plan for the mass protest against President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, especially the fuel subsidy removal and its consequences’.
According to the group zonal chairman, Comrade Haruna Usman Muhammad, the Northeast geo-political zone is known for its love of peace and respect for elders and thought leaders.
Comrade Haruna Muhammad, in a press statement made available to journalists in Bauchi yesterday, said that the youth should instead be encouraged to pray to Almighty Allah for His guidance out of the present mess-up among Nigerians
He observed that the planned protest appears to be an orchestrated effort by those who do not support the government of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, thus aiming to distract the government from the remarkable development work it has already accomplished.
“This government has achieved significant progress, and we must support its efforts rather than hinder them. Therefore, on behalf of the North East Ambassadors, we call on all Nigerian youth to cease any plans for protests. This movement is nothing more than an attempt to destabilise our country”.
Muhammad explained that for the betterment of the country, Nigerians must stand together, support the government, and continue to pursue peace and progress.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Bauchi have distanced themselves from participating in the planned nationwide protest to end hunger and hardship.
LEADERSHIP Weekend reports that organised labour agreed to a new N70,000 National Minimum Wage with the Federal Government.
Similarly, the National Assembly passed the new National Minimum Wage bill early this week. Currently, the bill awaits the assent of President Bola Tinubu to become a law and implementation.
Bauchi NLC Chairman Comrade Dauda Shuaibu told journalists that organised labour has constitutional means of addressing grievances and that they will strictly adhere to them.
He insisted that the union would not participate in the scheduled protest.
Comrade Shuiabu acknowledged the difficulties facing the citizens due to the biting economic crisis but urged members to remain law-abiding.
He encouraged the union members to report to their various places of work rather than engage in the protest.
It should be remembered that the Bauchi State Government banned the protest in the state and urged the organisers to think twice.
Sokoto NLC, Not In Support Of Planned Nationwide Protest – Comrade
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Sokoto State Council say the union does not support the planned nationwide protest and has called on all its members not to participate.
According to the State Chairman of the Council, Comrade Abdullahi Aliyu Jungle, this was given the negative aspect of such protests, which he said sometimes turn to violence, which can cause destruction and loss of lives.
However, on behalf of the organised labour unions, the Chairman called on governments at all levels to consider the current hardship citizens are experiencing and devise various palliative measures to cushion the situation’s effects.
He said, “The government could do this by providing food items and other essential commodities and distributing them to people free of charge to reduce the prices of such items in the market for the benefit of the common man.”
Comrade Jungle also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the new national minimum wage of N70,000, which the National Assembly passed.
Christian Youths Distance Self From Planned Protests Against Bad Governance
The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) has dissociated itself and its members from any form of forthcoming protest organised to demonstrate against hardship or bad governance by unknown individuals across the country.
The Christian youths expressed hope that with the steps taken so far by the government and with the constant support and cooperation of all Nigerians, the county shall get through this challenging moment.
YOWICAN stated these in a communique issued at the end of its second quarter National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on Friday.
Reading the communique’ before journalists, the YOWICAN National Chairman, BelusoChukwu Enwere, said the NEC has resolved to prayers and constant engagement with the Government until things get better for the nation.
Kaduna CSOs Distance Self From Protest, Urges Tinubu To Address Hardship
The Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has distanced itself from nationwide protests slated for August 1, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to listen to Nigerians and address the country’s hardships.
The Coalition warned Nigerians about the dangers of organising or joining the protest, saying it might lead to destruction.
Addressing a press conference on Friday in Kaduna, the coalition spokesperson, Ambassador Kamaladdeen Kabiru, said, “We shall plan a better protest with a clear mission at a better time provided the government did not do the needful.”
“We want to use this medium to express our withdrawal from the planned nationwide protest from 1st to 10th August 2024, not because we are happy with the government policies but because the mission behind the said protest is ambiguous, and the protest organisers refused to make it clear.”
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