• N’Assembly, SGF, Edun urge Nigerians to shun action
• Abuja court restricts protesters to National Stadium
• Security intensified as IGP highlights dangers of violent demonstrations

The Federal Government yesterday made a last-ditch attempt to dissuade organisers of the planned nationwide protest against hunger, which is expected to begin today.

While some groups have backed down, others, however, insisted the die is cast. Their insistence came against the backdrop of moves by authorities to legally restrict acceptable locations for protests.

A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory restricted protest participants to the MKO Abiola Stadium, also known as National Stadium.Justice Sylvanus Oriji issued the order in Abuja, yesterday, while ruling on an ex parte application brought before him by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

In the application, the FCT Minister applied for an order of interim injunction restraining the five leaders of the protesting groups from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, streets, offices, and public premises within the FCT between August 1 and 10, or any other day thereafter, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

He also applied for another order of interim injunction mandating the security agencies to prevent the protesting leaders from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, offices or public premises within the FCT between August 1 and 10, pending the hearing of his motion on notice.

The minister, who said the federal government was not averse to the protest, claimed that intelligence and security reports reaching him indicated that some elements within the leadership of the protesters intend to capitalise on the action to cause havoc to public facilities and block roads to prevent movement of persons and vehicles and disturb public peace.

He claimed that when he contacted the security agencies to ensure that the planned protest did not degenerate into criminality and disturbance of public peace and order, he was told that they were not well equipped to manage any crisis that may arise from the planned protest at short notice. Hence, they advised him that prevention is better than cure.

The minister tendered an exhibit from the ‘Take it Back Movement, FCT’, signed by Damilare Adenola, in which they threatened to invade the Presidential Villa and pull down the outer wires facing the Aso Rock villa during the protest.

Besides, they demanded that the FCT provide them with light and toilets during the protest.In his ruling, Justice Oriji recognised the protesters’ rights to embark on the protest. However, in view of the minister’s genuine fears, he restricted them to the stadium.

“In light of the above, the court considers it appropriate and expedient to grant an order under the omnibus or general prayer to ensure that the rights of the protesters are guaranteed, that the protest does not negatively or adversely affect the rights of other citizens to move about, and to ensure that properties and other public facilities are not destroyed,” the judge held.

The defendants in the suit are Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, persons unknown, Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Director General of the Department of State Services, Director General of Nigeria Civil Defense Corps, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, and Chief of Naval Staff as the 1st to 12th respondents.

Also, security was intensified in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with visible military and police presence around the city. The once-relaxed atmosphere has given way to a sense of heightened vigilance.

Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and patrol cars were seen on many roads in the city centre. Checkpoints and roadblocks were a familiar sight at all gateways to maintain law and order in the face of perceived threats.

Commuters traveling along the Abuja-Keffi expressway from the Nasarawa axis were met with unexpected roadblocks, as were those moving along the Abuja-Kogi axis.

Military personnel set up a stop-and-search operation, causing significant delays for people heading into the capital.  The checkpoint at the Sani Abacha Barracks before the A-Y-A Bridge resulted in a major traffic jam that stretched as far as the Nyanya Bridge.

The sudden military presence caught many by surprise, as no prior information was given by security agencies. The unannounced checkpoint left many civil servants and traders, who commute daily from satellite towns such as Nyanya, Karu, Maraba, Masaka, Keffi, Gwagwalada, Abaji and Kwali, almost stranded.

After hours stuck in traffic, many frustrated commuters chose to return home. Increased security presence around Dei Dei, near Zuma Rock, led to a partial blockage of the road leading to the city and severe traffic congestion.

Similar conditions were reported along Airport Road near the University of Abuja main gate, where security checks impacted traffic flow.  Traffic jams were observed along Suleja Road, where military and police personnel set checkpoints.

But in Oyo State, some youths and organisations said there will be no going back on the protest. Civil society organisations such as Joint Action Front (JAF), Socialist Labour, All Workers Convergence, and Centre for Popular Education maintained that the protest would hold as planned.

Solomon Emiola, a prominent activist in Ibadan, said: “We have been mobilising before others woke up. We are not joining pro-Seyi Makinde.” Emiola said the protest would commence at Rose Waley Filing Station, Iwo Road.

“The time has come to stand against the bad governance plaguing our beloved state and country. We, the people of Oyo State, can no longer remain silent in the face of corruption, mismanagement, and the neglect of our fundamental rights and needs. Our future and the future of our children are at stake, and we must act now to secure a better tomorrow.

“Our leaders have consistently failed us, prioritising their personal interests over the welfare of the masses. Public funds are squandered, essential services are neglected, and accountability is nonexistent. This blatant disregard for good governance has left our schools underfunded, our hospitals ill-equipped, and our infrastructure crumbling.

“We call on every citizen of Oyo State to rise and demand change. This is not just a protest; it is a movement to reclaim our dignity and secure a brighter future. We must unite, regardless of our differences, and send a clear message to those in power: enough is enough.

Also, a group called Citizens Nigeria informed the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, via a letter signed by Convener Igboke Onyebuchi, of its intention to participate in the protests.

The group said: “Our aim is to peacefully exercise our constitutional right to free speech and assembly as we voice our demands for improved governance and accountability from our leaders.

“Sir, Section 14 of the 1999 constitution states that ‘sovereignty belongs to the Nigerian people which through this constitutional government derives all its power and authority.

“We are equally going to use the opportunity to sensitise our people to avoid crime and all forms of corruption and that security agencies are our brothers and friends.”

The group, however, did not disclose the venue of its gathering. Instead, it sent out WhatsApp messages asking people to call a particular number for information about the venue and the times.

The Lagos State government, in compliance with a High Court ruling, had restricted the protest to Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota and Freedom Park in Ketu.

The organisers, however, insisted they will converge on Alausa Secretariat, ⁠Lekki Toll Gates, Ikorodu Bus Park, ⁠Okota Link Bridge, LASU Campus gates, Iyana Ipaja Underbridge and Agege Pen Cinema.

Therefore, they asked the state government to provide buses to convey the protesters to the government-designated locations for the protest. A pro-democracy group, Take It Back Movement, in a statement by its coordinator, Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeek, said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu must bear responsibility for the movement of protesters from several designations in Lagos to and from Peace Park in Ketu and Gani Fawehinmi Justice Park in Ojota in Lagos.

A Lagos High Court had on Tuesday granted an ex parte application filed by the state’s Attorney General, Lawal Pedro (SAN), seeking to restrict the planned protest in Lagos to the two parks.

Meanwhile, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume appealed to Nigerians to ignore the action and go about their legitimate businesses.

Speaking at a ministerial press briefing in Abuja, Akume said the Tinubu administration recognises the right to peaceful protest but that the government is wary of the dangers associated with protests, which are vulnerable to highjack by bandits, insurgents and other criminals.

The SGF, who called for dialogue, noted that the federal government remains open. He urged Nigerians to pursue peace, dialogue and collaboration towards addressing the country’s challenges.

He said, “We are at an important moment in our nation’s history, a moment signposted by a combination of challenges and opportunities: challenges because Nigerians are passing through unintended economic difficulties occasioned by a few of the bold policy decisions taken by this administration; opportunities because our economy is being refined and recalibrated for a better future.”

He said: “Economic prosperity for the nation remains the ultimate goal of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because it is the engine that drives progress, lifts families from poverty, and builds strong, resilient societies. To achieve this goal, we must enjoy peace and stability because it is the cornerstone upon which we build trust, cooperation, and shared purpose. When peace reigns, policies yield results, businesses thrive, investments flourish, and creativity is unleashed.”

Also speaking, Minister of Finance Wale Edun said President Tinubu is a committed democrat who believes in federalism, freedom of speech and human rights.
Edun said Tinubu’s concern is that the protest will remain peaceful and orderly so that the gains made over the past 12 to 15 months should not be dissipated and the momentum achieved in the economy should not be dislodged as a result of the protest.

He said: “The President truly understands the concerns that are being expressed, particularly the high and limited cost of living, which is not peculiar to Nigerians at this stage. With the wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, there is disruption around the world, and there has not even been a full recovery from COVID. So, inflation is high around the world, and costs are high. And with our import dependency on raw materials and so forth, we also are feeling the effects.”

For its part, the Senate charged Nigerians with being more patient with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and ignoring calls for protest. Yesterday, rising from an executive session that lasted two hours, the Senate explained that a year is too short to enjoy the benefits of the administration’s economic policies.

Reading the decisions taken, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said the demands of the protesters are being met. He said: “I kindly urge you that one year is not long enough for the policies being implemented by the current administration of President Bola Tinubu to yield the desired results.

“The Senate urges the protesters to give the government more time to address their demands, considering the measures being put in place to ameliorate the situation in the country, such as the National Minimum Wage Act, the sale of crude oil to local refineries in naira, the Implementation of Students Loan Act, the assent recently granted to the Southeast Development Commission and the Northwest Development Commission, and bills passed by the National Assembly to further address developments at the grassroots.”

The Senate added that it is willing to legislate on all matters that will bring succour to Nigerians.Similarly, in a last-minute bid to prevent the protest, lawmakers in the House of Representatives met with youth groups from across the country at the National Assembly Complex.

At the meeting, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas appealed to the protest organisers to embrace dialogue with the federal government to find solutions to the hardship being felt across the country.

Abbas reiterated his belief that dialogue and not protest remains the key to addressing the country’s challenges. He said: “You have raised your voices, calling for an end to hunger, a reduction in the cost of living, an improvement in the minimum wage, and enhanced human capital development. These demands, though varied, converge on a single, powerful call for a better quality of life for all Nigerians.

“Our purpose today is not to intimidate, entice, buy off, or stifle your constitutionally enshrined powers of free expression. Rather, it is to create a formal avenue of regular engagement, ensuring that your voices are heard at the highest levels of government. My message to you today is ‘Your voice matters, and we are listening.’ ”

The Speaker added: “This government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, listens, understands, and is committed to transforming Nigeria into a country that works for young people. The President has demonstrated this commitment through significant interventions.

“For instance, he approved a substantial intervention fund of N683 billion for public tertiary institutions for the 2024 cycle, aimed at improving the quality of education. The establishment of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund through the Access to Higher Education Act, 2024 provides interest-free loans to students pursuing higher education and vocational training.”

Ngou Matthew (North Central) and Mohammed Ahmed (North East) were among the representatives of the youth groups at the event. For his part, Babajimi Benson, the lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, said peaceful protests are allowed in a democracy.

“I like peaceful protest. Dangote protested peacefully. Did he get the result? Yes. So, if we protest peacefully… Bola Tinubu has always expressed his love for peaceful protest. He was a chief protester at some point,” he said. He, however, added that there were credible intelligence reports suggesting a possible breakdown of law and order.

“We have credible intelligence to show that some people would turn the good thing the youths want to do, which is constitutional, to something totally different. Some people want to do riot and loot. We have seen that happen before.

“Even the President was once a victim of rioting. A television station was burnt, and journalists were there. They even tried to burn The Nation newspaper. Anything could have happened,” he said.

Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, highlighted the dangers of violent demonstrations. In a statement signed by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, the IGP stressed the importance of maintaining peace and order.

He said: “It is not only in Nigeria that there is hardship. It is a global meltdown. Is the government doing anything about it? Yes! This is what a responsive government will do.” Reflecting on the 2020 #EndSARS protests, the IGP warned about the repercussions of destructive actions.

“Police stations were burnt down. Criminals took over. Arms looted were in the wrong hands, and armed robbers took over. Women could no longer walk freely once it was 7:00 p.m.,” he recalled.

He said the destruction of police infrastructure could lead to a breakdown of law and order, leaving communities vulnerable to crime. Egbetokun noted that there are enough lessons to learn from previous violent protests in Nigeria, urging citizens to remember the chaos and suffering that followed such events.
He highlighted the potential dangers of unchecked demonstrations, including loss of life, property damage, and widespread fear.

The IGP said: “The right to protest is a right to peaceful protest.”  He urged all Nigerians to exercise this right responsibly and avoid actions that could escalate into violence.

He called on all Nigerians to cooperate with the police to ensure protests are peaceful and orderly. The atmosphere was tense in some parts of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, while in other places, people went about their normal routine.

Many residents indicated their determination to join the protest, provided it will be peaceful. In the Ojoo area, the atmosphere was very relaxed compared to what was obtained on Tuesday. People were seen engaging in last-minute purchases of food items. A similar scenario was recorded at Mokola Roundabout, Iwo Road, Challenge and other places where the people went about their normal routine but vowed to join the protesters if they were peaceful.

Residents of Ondo State expressed apprehension that the protest might turn violent.  Also, some traders resolved that they would not open their shops for business to avoid any untoward situations.

One civil servant, Funmbi Oladiran, said: “I don’t think that I’ll be going to the office. I don’t want the situation of the #ENDSARS protest to repeat itself. I was in town when the violence started, and I was stranded because I couldn’t get home.”

A trader at Arakale Road, Charles Ebuka, told The Guardian: “We will hang around our shops and observe the situation before anyone opens the shops. The protests are okay, but the problem is that some people with ulterior motives will want to use them to attack other people’s businesses.

In Enugu, soldiers drawn from the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army were drafted to key locations to ensure no breakdown in law and order. The well-armed soldiers also mounted checkpoints across most of the roads.

Although various groups have asked Igbo youths to restrain themselves from the protests and go about their legitimate duties, it is uncertain whether they will adhere to the directives.

The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Abayomi Oladipo, assured residents and genuine protesters that they will be provided with adequate security. Oladipo, who disclosed this during a show of force by security operatives in Akure, said no group had indicated interest in embarking on a protest in the state.

He said: “We are to ensure the #ENDSARS and Kenya experiences are not re-enacted in this country. We will not allow the situation to descend into chaos. We will not allow public infrastructure to be destroyed. We are prepared to protect property and life. Nigerians are advised to go about their normal business. We will not allow people to loot shops and business premises.”

Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, summoned stakeholders to a meeting where he assured the residents of the security of their lives and property.

He reaffirmed the resolve of the police and other security agencies to collaborate and ensure a peaceful atmosphere in the state. He also asked the protesters to play according to the rules.

Meanwhile, residents continued to make last-minute purchases and withdraw cash from banks and PoS machines in an apparent bid to stock up. The management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has announced the postponement of all examinations scheduled to start today.

In an advisory issued to the university community, management urged them to remain calm, safe, and security-conscious, especially during the ongoing second-semester examinations.

According to the statement, the university has implemented precautionary measures to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of students and staff on its three campuses. A new schedule for the postponed exams will be announced soon.

Acknowledging the right to lawful and peaceful assembly, the university implored students and staff to remain civil, orderly, and responsible in their utterances and behaviour, both online and offline.