Just in: Nigerian govt commences emergency meeting with ministers over August 1 protest
The federal government has commenced an emergency meeting on Wednesday in response to a planned nationwide demonstration billed for August 1, 2024.
This was contained in a circular dated July 23, 2024, and signed by Richard Pheelangwah, Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, with the subject “Planned Nationwide Protest.”
The circular reads, “I am directed to invite you to attend a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the above subject slated as follows: July 24, 2024, Time: 10 am prompt, Venue: Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Conference Room.”
The meeting is coming on the heel of an appeal by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, conveyed through the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, urging Nigerians to call off the planned protest, a meeting has been convened
In an interview with state house correspondents on Tuesday, the Minister said “On the issue of the planned protest, Mr President does not see any need for that. He asked them to shelve that plan and he has asked them to await the government’s response to all their pleas,” he said.
Similarly, the Nigeria Police Force has appealed to the citizens to shelve the proposed nationwide protest, stressing that the demonstration was ill-advised.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, made the call in response to social media campaigns mobilising for a nationwide protest slated for August 1 due to the economic hardship in the country.
Speaking during a meeting with commissioners of police in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, Egbetokun said the country has its fair share of violent protests with severe consequences.
