Today, the Federal Government is holding an urgent meeting due to a planned protest across Nigeria on August 1.
Beyond Boders reports that this meeting is happening because President Bola Tinubu asked the protest organizers to delay the protests to allow his government more time to deliver on its promises.
A notice shared on Tuesday revealed that all ministers, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the President’s special advisers, including Hadiza Bala-Usman, Bayo Onanuga, and Sunday Dare, have been invited to the meeting.
The notice, signed by Permanent Secretary Richard Pheelangwah and dated July 23, 2024, mentioned the meeting is at 10 am today at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The protests are planned due to the high cost of living and economic difficulties caused by removing the fuel subsidy and other economic changes.
These protests have gained attention on social media with hashtags like ‘EndBadGovernance,’ ‘TinubuMustGo,’ and ‘#Revolution2024.’
The government and police have asked the youth to cancel the protests, while the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, conveyed President Tinubu’s request for more time to respond to their demands.
Idris mentioned that the government is working to improve the situation, citing the quick passage of the National Minimum Wage Bill and the delivery of grains to state governments.
President Tinubu is also focused on the new Student Loan Board to help students get higher education and is planning a scheme to support unemployed graduates.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also warned against the protests, noting the damage from the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
He stated that while peaceful protests are allowed, they must not turn violent, and the police will act to prevent any disorder.
