As the planned ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest slated for August draws near, President Bola Tinubu convened an emergency closed-door meeting on Thursday with top traditional rulers, security chiefs, and governors from his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The high-level meeting took place at the State House in Abuja.
Led by the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, the APC governors were joined by several first-class traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Saad Abubakar III.
Also in attendance were the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; various ministers; and other cabinet members. Later, a delegation of Islamic scholars (Ulamas) joined the meeting.
Last-Minute Efforts to Quell Public Unrest
President Tinubu, who took office in May 2023, has been appealing to discontented youths to cancel the planned ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest. In a move to address public grievances, he recently submitted a bill to the National Assembly to raise the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000. The bill was swiftly passed by both legislative chambers on Tuesday and is awaiting the President’s signature.
Military authorities have warned that unscrupulous elements may hijack the protest to incite anarchy, similar to the recent events in Kenya. The police have also cautioned against violent demonstrations, echoing concerns that the protest could turn into another violent episode like the EndSARS demonstrations in October 2020.
The protest, driven by economic hardship and gaining momentum on social media, is scheduled to take place across all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in August. The organizers of the protest remain anonymous.
Rising Tensions Amid Economic Hardship
Nigerians are grappling with soaring food and commodity prices, one of the worst inflation rates in the country’s history, and an economic crisis triggered by the government’s policies on petrol subsidy removal and unification of forex windows.
The emergency meeting at the State House is part of the administration’s efforts to address the growing public dissatisfaction and prevent the protest from escalating into widespread unrest.