President Bola Tinubu on Thursday held emergency meetings with the All Progressives Congress state governors, prominent traditional rulers and Ulamas (Islamic religious scholars) at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja as part of efforts by the government to ensure the planned hunger protests, slated for August 1 to 10, is averted nationwide.
The meetings come after growing calls for the anti-hunger protests following widespread economic hardships in the country.
The protests, which are being organised under the hashtag ‘EndBadGovernance,’ have gained significant traction on social media even as the organisers remain unknown, with no group officially claiming responsibility.
President Tinubu first met with the APC governors, under the aegis of the Progressives Governors Forum, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja at 1pm. The meeting lasted for about an hour and 15 minutes.
This meeting follows an earlier one by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum on Wednesday night and comes after a last-minute cancellation of the National Economic Council meeting earlier scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Punch correspondent also spotted the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Ministers of Finance and Budget and Economic Planning, Wale Edun and Abubakar Bagudu, respectively at the meeting.
The meeting with the prominent traditional rulers began at about 2:30pm, when the President arrived at the Council Chamber in the Villa, and ended at 4pm.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, led the royal fathers at the meeting, with Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Ribadu and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun in attendance.
Governor Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman of Kwara State, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who chairs the Progressives Governors Forum, were part of the meeting. Edun and Bagudu, also joined the President at the meeting.
Afterwards the President held another meeting with the Ulamas, which ended after 6pm.
Monarchs seek dialogue
Speaking after the meeting on Thursday, the traditional Rulers urged the organisers of the protests to seek dialogue with the Federal Government, warning that there was the possibility of the protests being hijacked by hoodlums.
“The President has said, ‘any leader that you don’t like, wait (until 2027) and vote him out.’ He is open to dialogue. We know that Nigeria faces many challenges. But are we going to destroy our nation by ourselves? Is that what we are all after?
“It is very difficult to build, but it is the easiest to destroy. We are all stakeholders in this country and are stronger as a nation than individually,” the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who co-chairs the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, told journalists after an expanded cabinet meeting at the State House, Abuja.
“We should talk to ourselves. We need to know that today; it’s a completely different spin. The government, ably led by the President, is willing to engage and dialogue and bring governance very close to the people.
“People that are out there to protest, it is their civic right. But let them put a face to it and don’t let it be hijacked by people that have ulterior motives. That is our stand.
“We the traditional rulers are not in support of people, especially youths, coming out to loot and break down law and order. We condemn such acts fully. We are parents, we are traditional rulers, and we are closer to them (youths). We are going to go back home and continue to engage them.”
Oba Adeyeye said the meeting was the first instance where the Federal Executive Council engaged directly with traditional rulers.
The monarch added, “Stewardship from the Federal Executive Council, directly to the traditional rulers? It has never happened in our nation before. Never! This is the first time we’re all experiencing it.
“Today (Thursday) is the very first time we will be addressed properly by the Federal Executive Council…in terms of the plans of government, their achievements so far, and where they’re having challenges. So, there is a proper bridge between the governed and the people in charge of government.
“For the very first time, the traditional rulers were properly engaged. This is long-awaited. We are closer to our people and can bring that feedback back home. So, it’s a beautiful take home for us because we don’t lock our palaces; we are more exposed to the people we rule over.”
The Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli, said traditional rulers were worried about the protests, adding that they could shut down the country.
“There’s nobody who will not be worried about the protests; we’ve seen what has happened in other climes, where governments had been brought down.
“As an ex-diplomat, I have seen what happened in other climes and that is why I am in the position to say what happened in other places.”
The Emir added that insecurity in the north remained the bane of Nigeria’s food crisis, and urged the FG to address the security issues, saying it would bring stability to the country.
“We have made it very clear to him (President Tinubu) that the main problem in this country, especially the north, is insecurity. If the security situation is addressed, certainly people will go back to their farms and the issue of hunger will drastically reduce and disappear,” Bamalli added.
He urged Nigerians to “exercise patience and to listen to the words of wisdom. We are very optimistic Nigeria will bounce back to its former position as the leading country in Africa.”
On his part, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, Ikenchukwu Keagborokuzi I, appealed to Nigerian youths to work with the FG using all available opportunities.
Keagborokuzi, who described Nigerian youths as the nation’s strength, acknowledged the displeasing challenges confronting them but said that the #EndBadGovernance protests would not solve the nation’s problems.
“Hearing from Mr. President directly, the take-home message for me is that I can see the passion. But at the same time, I think the government finally understands we are at the precipice.
“We will listen to our youths because they lead the future. The power and strength of Nigeria certainly lie with the young people. We feel your pain. I’m a young person myself.
“It’s been 24 years since I’ve started seeing the nation going in a very unpalatable direction. This protest, I know that it’s very tight in our neck, but let us not destroy our own country,” said the traditional ruler.
He cited the aftermath of the Arab Spring in Libya, urging Nigerian youths to reconsider the planned protest.
“Think of Libya. Libya was a beautiful country; what has happened to Libya, we don’t want it to happen here.
“Let’s go home. Let’s continue to strive to be the best that we can and continue to work with the government to see if we can offer some solutions.
“I think that that would be best rather than to destroy property or injure ourselves,” he advised.
In a similar twist, The National Orientation Agency urged the traditional leaders to take the lead in sensitising the youths against planned nationwide protests.
NOA Bauchi State Director Mrs. Theresa Omaga, made this known when she paid an advocacy visit to traditional and religious at the residence of Galadinman Bauchi, the district head of Zungur, Alhaji Ibrahim Sa’idu Jahun, on Thursday.
“The need for peace and tranquility must be emphasised as the protest could escalate insecurity challenges and economic hardships,” Omaga stated.
Meanwhile, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulroshed Akanbi, feared the proposed national protest may be hijacked by hoodlums.
Oba Akanbi, in a statement signed by his Press Secretary, Ali Ibraheem, urged Tinubu to meet with leaders of opposition parties, workers unions, students unions, civil society organisations, notable traditional rulers and other stakeholders to discuss the state of the nation and seek solutions to some of the challenges confronting the nation.
“At this crucial moment of global economic challenge, Nigeria inclusive, I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to convey a national dialogue most especially with the dog handlers comprising the opposition parties leaders, civil society organisations, labour leaders, students, traditional rulers and religious leaders.
“Even if a protest is held, we will resort to a round table discussion after the road show. Rather than allowing hoodlums to hijack and destroy the nation we are trying to construct, why not embrace dialogue? When we sit together and talk to each other, more virile approaches and solutions may be suggested for application,” Oluwo said.
Army allege hijack
The Nigeria Army and the Department of State Service say they have uncovered plans to hijack the protest.
The Defence Headquarters thus called on the organisers of the protesters to sheathe their swords. Speaking in an interview with one of our correspondents on Thursday, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major-General Edward Buba, urged the organisers to embrace dialogue with the government.
Buba said, “Accordingly, the protesters are urged to shield their swords and opt for dialogue. We must quench the fire of violence, rather than ignite the fire. Cool heads must be allowed to prevail in order to save our nation from anarchy.”
Buba said intelligence at the military’s disposal showed that the proposed nationwide protest would be hijacked by unscrupulous elements.
“Based on what has been gathered, there are plans by some unscrupulous elements to hijack this protest and make sure that it turns violent. I want to tell you what we have seen, it will likely happen.”
He also said car and business owners, as well as members of opposition parties different from the protesters’ party, might be attacked during the protest.
Buba said, “For instance, there are signs of status-related violence such that persons with things as basic as smartphones and cars are targets. This does not leave out those who own houses, shops or even use air conditioners in their houses. Other targets include places of worship, businesses, markets, persons of other ethnic groups and members of opposing political parties among others. Believe me, when this happens, it is nothing but a state of anarchy, lawlessness.”
Buba added, “We have seen this in other parts of the world, when we carried out peacekeeping operations. The military will not stand by and allow anarchy to befall our nation. It is our constitutional responsibility to make sure that doesn’t happen.
“Some think that it is like when you watch Nollywood or whatever. No, in real life people stand to lose everything. I don’t need to speak too much. Go to IDP camps, you will see rich people with big houses now living in tents.
“Based on the foregoing, the level of violence envisaged is best described as a state of anarchy. It is for this reason the armed forces will not watch and allow the nation to spiral out of control to such low levels. It is for this reason that troops will act dutifully to forestall such ugly occurrences from happening in our nation.”
Buba stated that the military’s involvement in the planned protests would be in accordance with the constitutional provisions.
Buba stated, “However, for us in the military, the constitution is clear as to how and when the military gets involved. The constitution also clearly defines the roles and functions of the armed forces. On the other hand, while citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful protests, they do not have a right to mobilise for anarchy to unleash terror.”
Similarly, the DSS warned the organisers of the planned nationwide protest against proceeding with it.
In a statement on Thursday, DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, described the motive behind the protest as political.
The service said it uncovered a plan by some criminal elements to hijack the protest and cause unrest in the country.
It stated, “DSS has followed the discourse on planned protests in parts of the country in the coming weeks by persons and groups yet to identify themselves in the public as leaders of the plot.
“While peaceful protest is a democratic right of citizens, the Service has confirmed a sinister plan by some elements to infiltrate the protest and use it to cause chaos and extreme violence in the land. It has also identified the reason behind the protest to be political.
“The plotters desire to use the intended violent outcome to smear the federal and sub-national governments; make them unpopular and pit them against the masses. The long-term objective is to achieve regime change, especially at the centre.’’
Afunanya warned the protesters to eschew any form of anarchy in the interest of peace.
He said, “Based on the foregoing, the Service wishes to warn all the protest groups to eschew any form of proposed rage, anarchy and spoliation.
“While the different levels of government have routinely explained their agenda to ameliorate alleged harsh economic conditions, the Service urges the prospective protesters to listen to the voice of reason, and good conscience and patiently engage with the authorities, in the interest of peace.
“This has become important given that violence begets the destruction of lives and property as well as serves as a distraction to governance. The agitators are encouraged to use ample ways available to them to channel their grievances without resorting to violence.”
In Oyo State, Fatai Owoseni, the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Seyi Makinde, admonished those planning to participate in the protest to ensure that the demonstrations were peaceful and orderly, stating that the state would not condone lawlessness.
At the meeting, which was held at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan, Owoseni said it was convened to prepare for the planned protest and also engage different interest groups.
He charged residents of the state to express their rights peacefully without vandalising properties, stealing, burglary or involving in any form of criminal offence that may disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in the state.
Tinubu ‘peaceful protester’
Meanwhile, the President pledged that his administration would uphold democratic principles, including the right to protest, but would not condone demonstrations that lead to the destruction of lives and property.
“In as much as we believe that demonstrations are part of democracy, we will never encourage any protests that lead to the destruction of lives and property,” Tinubu stated this while receiving a Letter of Credence from the newly appointed United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Richard Mills Jr. on Thursday in Abuja.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed the exchange at the ceremony in a statement titled, ‘President Tinubu receives US ambassador, underscores the importance of sustaining democracy, its norms and institutions.’
Tinubu said this against the backdrop of allegations that his government was attempting to suppress the citizens’ right to protest against economic hardship.
The President had also been criticised for leading street protests against previous administrations in the country.
In a post on X on Tuesday, former Vice President Atiku said it was ironic that those stifling rights of Nigerians to protest in 2024 were leading protesters in 2012.
In reply to his critics, Tinubu stated, “During the military era, we made our voices heard against dictatorship, and I was part of the group that engaged in peaceful protests without resorting to the destruction of property.
“We have worked hard to ensure 25 years of unbroken democracy and I will continue to maintain this democracy.”
Opposition charges President
The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Shehu Gabam, has asked President Tinubu to address the nation ahead of the planned August 1 nationwide protests.
Gabam stated this during Thursday evening’s Politics Today programme on Channels Television.
The SDP chairman urged the President to address the nation, to clear misconceptions in the minds of the citizens, adding that he should not continue to rely on “second layers” of dishing out information.
“What I expect this President to do as the number one citizen is to address the country. This is my first expectation. All other things are secondary layers. Let me tell you what it would do; people are angry, and so many perceptions have been created out there.
“He needs to clear this perception that no, Nigerians, I know what is going on, I have access to all your complaints, and I will address them. Relying on second layers of dishing out information at this critical time is not advisable for him.
“He is the number one stakeholder, he is the one to bear the brunt, he is the one who applied for the job, he is the one who said he’s going to correct the problems, so he needs to address the nation, beyond any other thing,” he said.
Gabam, while commending the interventions of security agencies and traditional rulers to dissuade Nigerians from staging the protest, however, urged the government to facilitate quick interventions by dialoguing with identified sponsors of the protest.
“If they know the organisers, what they need to do as a government is a quick intervention. Sit down with them, dialogue with them, and find out what the problems are. And of course, if there are criminal elements that will hijack the process, the essence of having security all over the world is to create deterrence.”
He added that his party would not participate in the August 1 protest, but would endorse protests that were “devoid of any act of violence, or anarchy, or killing or barbarism.”
“We have drawn lines of our endorsements, in line with the provisions of the Constitution, where citizens are guaranteed to protest peacefully by disagreeing with the policies and programmes of the government,” he added.
