The 10-day protest, slated for August 1-10, is intended to condemn bad governance. Meanwhile, the government has instructed all federal ministers to visit their respective states between July 24 and August 1, coinciding with the protest’s scheduled start date.
With the planned protest drawing near, the Nigerian Government has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with its leaders and organisers.
The 10-day protest, slated for August 1-10, is intended to condemn bad governance. Meanwhile, the government has instructed all federal ministers to visit their respective states between July 24 and August 1, coinciding with the protest’s scheduled start date.
Some ministers are also expected with state governors at the 143rd session of the National Economic Council at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.
An emergency meeting was held between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and all ministers in Abuja on Wednesday morning.
Although journalists were denied entry to the SGF Conference Room, the site of Wednesday’s meeting, informed sources told The PUNCH that the meeting covered a planned national broadcast by President Bola Tinubu, among other issues.
The source said, “All ministers were present. They suggested that there should be a national address. It was suggested that the President himself should do it. But the suggestion will have to reach the President first.
“They also asked ministers to put together three key achievements they have made in the past year. They will compile these achievements and present them to Nigerians.
“In fact, tomorrow (today), the Minister of Finance will be briefing the media on the state of the economy. But those achievements will be compiled for a separate presentation.”
“The government stands for dialogue. They will get the leaders (of the protest) to meet with the government for discussions.
“All the ministers will also go back to their states to engage their people so they won’t be misled into joining the protests. That is between now and the protest date.
“Some have been engaging their people before. But this time, everyone has been asked to go back there,” the source added.
A nationwide protest, dubbed ‘EndBadGovernanceInNigeria’, has garnered significant attention on social media and is set to take place across the country.
However, as of this report, no organization has claimed responsibility for organising the protest. The demonstration comes amidst escalating economic woes, including surging inflation, widespread hunger, and deepening poverty, which have further exacerbated the country’s cost of living crisis.
On Wednesday, the convener of #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore explained that hunger, unemployment, insecurity, poverty and corruption are the organisers of the protest.
According to the human rights activist, the protest is going to be massive. It is scheduled for August 1st to 10th.
He wrote: “This is going to be MASSIVE!
#DaysOfRage August 1st-10th 2024!
“QUESTION: Who are the organizers of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria revolt in Nigeria? #DaysOfrage
“ANSWER: Hunger, Unemployment, Insecurity, Poverty and Corruption.”