· 72hrs to zero-hour
· Tinubu, Govs, others in last ditch effort to stave off protest
· Security ramped up nation-wide
· Organisers dig in
By Our Correspondents
As the spectre of a nation-wide protest looms large with about 72 hours to August 1, 2024 the federal and state governments as well as traditional rulers, some sections of religious organisations are racing against time to stave off the hardship induced citizens’ angst.
Our correspondents report that President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are leading the charge against the planned protest from August 1 to 10.
Tinubu to U.S Envoy
President Tinubu, while receiving Letters of Credence from the newly appointed United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Mills, Jr, last week at the Presidential Villa, assured the envoy of the federal government’s commitment to democracy and peaceful protest.
He, however, said no responsible government will condone violence and threat to democracy.
‘’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.
“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.
“Nigeria is ready to play its role as the largest democracy in Africa that is worthy of emulation to other African countries, but we need more US partnership on the continent that is beneficial to both sides. We believe in freedom, and we are providing the leadership to make Nigeria’s economy grow,’’ the president said.
This is even as the federal government announced its participation in the Grand Challenges Nigeria (GCNg) Project, a global health initiative aimed at combating malnutrition and food insecurity in Nigeria.
Shettima fears anarchy
Also, Vice President Kashim Shettima expressed worry over the protest which he said could lead to anarchy, seeking for dialogue rather.
Speaking at the unveiling of a partnership targeted at addressing Nigeria’s pressing nutritional challenges with the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, NSN, during a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the vice president “This is the time for us to solve our problems, not to protest. The right to protest is guaranteed in most democracies around the world, but when you can start the agitation, and you don’t know where it will end, it is a road to anarchy.
“We appreciate what Nigerians are going through, and our heart goes out to them. The oil subsidy has been an albatross on our neck for 50 years. Once the harvests start coming, we believe it will have a positive effect on the common man.
“I wish to call on you to advocate for diplomacy, engagement, and patience. The President is very much committed to the Nigerian project but it’s like a percolation project. When a woman is giving birth, it’s a very painful process but once the child is delivered, it is a cause for celebration.”
Ministers rally against protest
Various ministers have been up and about meeting different groups to dissuade them from join the rally.
The Abuja Inquirer learnt that during such meetings, “mobilisation” (money) are doled out as means to buy the confidence and support of the various groups.
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Minister of state for Petroleum Resources, (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Minister of State Police Affairs, Hon Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Youth Development for State, Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite are some those who have kicked against the planned protest and meeting various groups and allegedly doling out incentives.
Police withdraw personnel to beef up security
Besides the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, giving conditions for holding the planned nationwide protests scheduled to begin on 1 August, this newspaper learnt that mobile policemen attached to certain individuals were withdrawn to boost operational capability.
A police circular signed by CSP Okon E. Moses of No. 2 Squadron, Mobile Police Force, Lagos, with No. CB:3422/LS/2PMF/VOL.5/293 dated July 25, 2024 and addressed “To Whom It May Concern,” states, “In view of the planned nationwide protest, it becomes imperative to temporary withdraw some of the personnel attached to you in order to muster sufficient officers to dominate the public space.”
Clerics divided
There is a divide amongst the clergy and clerics of different faiths in the country over the planned protest.
For the Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, citizens have a right to protest and has cautioned President Tinubu not to stop the protest against hardship in the country.
Primate Ayodele said Nigerians are very bitter and have formed hatred toward the present government due to the hardship in the country.
However, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, after meeting with the president in Abuja called on the masterminds of the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1 to jettison the idea.
CAN also advised those behind the plan to embrace dialogue with the government.
“Dialogue, petitions, and town hall meetings are viable options that can yield positive results without the risk of disorder,” Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN President, said in a statement on Friday.
Also, some Islamic clerics after the meeting with the president, opposes the protest.
The president of JIBWIS, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, said they had conveyed the concerns of the people to the Nigerian leader and urged the youths against the protest which could lead to anarchy.
But the Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern states and Abuja seems to be at variance with its national body as it said the planned nationwide hunger protests was an indication that things have gone really bad in the Country.
The body maintained that the masses have been “suffering and smiling” for too long with the government showing no concern.
In a statement through its, Secretary, Elder Sunday Oibe in Kaduna on Saturday, Northern CAN expressed deep concern over the planned nationwide protest against hunger and economic hardship, citing the unbearable living conditions in the country at the moment and urged the federal government to apologise to Nigerians.
Rights activists dig in
Despite government’s efforts to scuttle the protest, activists are not relenting.
Human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has notified security agencies, requesting protection over planned public meetings, rallies, and processions by a non-governmental body, the Take It Back Movement, its members, some patriotic Nigerians and groups.
In the letter dated Friday, July 26, 2024, the senior advocate writing as solicitor to the Take It Back Movement notified the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) that the planned rallies would commence from August 1 to 10, 2024, or any time thereafter.
Another lawyer and rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has said that groups distancing themselves from the planned protest are hungry people paid by the government and warned that the government will learn a bitter lesson on 1st August.
During an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, Adeyanju asserted, “The groups distancing themselves from the protest, you cannot pull out from a protest that you did not organise and were not invited to join. These are hungry people who have been paid by the government to come on air to embarrass themselves and their families. The government has been sharing billions to different groups of people trying to frustrate the protest. You are going to see what will happen all over Nigeria on the 1st of August.”
For now, the pendulum continues to swing as zero-hour approaches.
