President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has begged youths planning to protest against his administration’s policies which has unleashed hardship and hunger in Nigeria to shelve their plan.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told journalists at Presidential Villa, Abuja that President Tinubu asked him to communicate to Nigerians, especially the youths, that he has listened to all their concerns and that his government is already implementing measures to address the challenges.
According to the Minister: “We also discussed the issue of the country generally and Mr President has asked me to again inform Nigerians that he listens to them, especially the young people that are trying to protest.
“Mr President said he listens to them and takes what they say seriously; and he is working assiduously to ensure that this country is good not just for today but also for the future. 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 government’s response to all their pleas, he has listened to them.”
Idris noted that a lot is happening already under the Tinubu government, stating: “Only today the NASS has expeditiously passed the bill on National minimum wage. You can see how the President is working. The bill was transmitted only yesterday and today it has been passed. A lot of other interventions that the President has put in place are also going to be looked at expeditiously in the interest of Nigerians. So, there is no need for strike {protest}.
“The young people out there should listen to the President and allow the President more time to see to the realization of all the goodies he has for them.”
He listed policies aimed at cushioning the effect of hardship Nigerians are facing, saying that the government approved grains and rice for State governments which was delivered to them, adding, “like I said that time, it is just the necessary first step, government is going to continue in that direction supporting them and assuring that whatever intervention the Federal Government has put in place go to those that should benefit, it is very important that is being put out.”
Meanwhile, former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate in the last election, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Federal Government and its agencies for trying to abort the planned August 1 protest across the country.
Atiku said it is also ironical that those who protested against the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012 are the ones trying to stifle other peoples rights to protest now.
In a post on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday, Atiku said it was the right of citizens to protest as it is also guaranteed by the constitution.
According to him: The opposition leader said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the rights of citizens to protest are ENSHRINED in the Nigerian Constitution and AFFIRMED by our courts. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as altered) unequivocally guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association.
“Chasing shadows and contriving purported persons behind the planned protests is an exercise in futility when it is obvious that Nigerians, including supporters of Tinubu and the ruling APC, are caught up in the hunger, anger, and hopelessness brought about by the incompetence and cluelessness of this government.
“It is deeply ironic that those who now seek to stifle these rights were themselves leading protests in 2012. A responsible government must ensure a SAFE and SECURE environment for citizens to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to PEACEFUL PROTEST.
“Any attempt to suppress these rights is not only unconstitutional but a direct affront to our democracy.”