As the date for the nationwide protest draws near, efforts to deter Nigerians from participating appear to be ineffective. President Tinubu has convened an urgent closed-door meeting at the State House in Abuja, involving top traditional rulers, security officials, and governors from his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Participants in the Meeting
The APC governors were led by the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma. Prominent traditional rulers in attendance included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Saad Abubakar III, among other traditional leaders.
Key government figures at the meeting included National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and various ministers and cabinet members. Islamic scholars (Ulamas) also joined the high-level discussions later.
Upcoming Protest
The #EndBadGovernance protest focused on economic hardship and leadership failures, is set to occur across all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in August. The protest is fueled by public dissatisfaction with rising prices and high inflation, attributed largely to the government’s policies on petrol subsidy removal and forex window unification.
Government Response
The closed-door meeting is anticipated to shape the government’s strategy to address or potentially prevent the protest. Both the Nigerian government and the military have expressed concerns about the protest escalating into anarchy, urging citizens to wait for the government’s response to their grievances.
