President Bola Tinubu issued a warning to protesters on Thursday, saying no government will condone protests that would lead to destruction of lives and property.
He also held separate talks with governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and traditional rulers in the Presidential Villa in Abuja, all in an effort to quell the protest.
Before the President met with APC governors, they (governors) had cautioned against the protest, asking with organisers to call it off given the country’s current difficult circumstances.
The president’s proclamation came on the same day as the Department of State Services, DSS, urged against a statewide protest over the country’s suffering, while Defence Headquarters, DHQ, expressed concern about the rally being hijacked by violent groups.
It further stated that intelligence reports have revealed a conspiracy to repeat what happened in Kenya.
However, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, stated that while it would not be participating in the protest, the police must safeguard the protestors to avoid hoodlums from hijacking it, and it also requested President Tinubu to reconsider his government’s stance of floating the naira.
According to the labour movement, the naira’s floatation is partially responsible for the country’s poor economic conditions.
However, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, urged its 104 affiliated youth organisations yesterday to remain on standby in preparation for the statewide protest, which is set to begin August 1.
Tinubu, who spoke at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when he received Letters of Credence from the newly appointed United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Mills, Jr., said, “Our relationship with America is rich. We believe in democracy and freedom. Some of your predecessors worked hard during our transition to democracy, and we remember the likes of Ambassador Howard Jeter.
“We look forward to Nigeria and the United States continuously working to expand cooperation on shared goals and democratic values.
“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.”
