Protest…States Beef Up Security, As Tinubu Meets Governors

After a meeting between national security adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), security has been beefed up in most states of the federation to contain the proposed protest against hardship and poor governance by the current administration.

Some governors who attended the parley in Abuja summoned an emergency security meeting, during which they enunciated strategies to either prevent the protest from being held or being hijacked by hoodlums.

The security agencies also rolled out measures to ensure law and order throughout the country.
After the governor’s parley the NSA, President Tinubu also met with the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on the planned protest.

The agenda of the meeting was not made known to State House Correspondents, but it may be connected to the rally slated for August 1.

The chairman of the PGF and the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, led the governors to the president’s office along with the chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, Governor Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman of Kwara State.

Also cited were the reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shuaibu, the governor of Benue State, Fr Hyacinth Alia, Uba Sani of Kaduna State and the governor of Ebonyi State, amongst others.
Also yesterday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu restated that he was not opposed to peaceful demonstrations because they are an integral part of democracy.

In a communiqué after the forum’s meeting on Wednesday night, chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the governors acknowledged that the planned protests remanded serious government attention.

“The NGF received a briefing from the National Security Adviser’s (NSA’s) office on the current security situation in the country.

“The NSA noted the growing momentum for a planned protest demanding government attention.

“The NSA is committed to supporting the governors in improving security architecture at the subnational level. The governors thanked the NSA and reinstated their commitment to enhance the security of lives and properties at the subnational level.”

It added that the body of attorneys-general of the 36 states briefed the governors on a recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the financial autonomy of local governments.

From the armed forces, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) warned the organisers of the planned hunger protest that the military will not watch Nigeria slide into anarchy.

The director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, stated this Thursday while briefing journalists on military operations across the country.

LEADERSHIP Friday reports that some Nigerians have been mobilising to stage a nationwide hunger protest from 1-10 August, 2024.

The director said that citizens have the right to protest, but mobilizing for anarchy will not be accepted by the Armed Forces, which will intervene when called upon.

He said intelligence had revealed that some elements were planning to hijack the protest to cause anarchy and gave assurance that the military will not sit back and allow calamity to befall the nation.
He said, “The aim of the protest is to show you what is happening in Kenya. I would add that what is happening in Kenya in terms of protests is violence. “Two, it remains unresolved as we speak now

“So, based on what has been gathered, some unscrupulous elements are planning to hijack this protest and make sure that it turns violent. When it turns violent.

He said factors to consider are whether or not the planned strike is motivated by opposition politics, independent parties, sovereign interference, terrorist groups, or any number of organisations that have fed on the frustrations of Nigerians to create the situation.

“However, for us in the military, the constitution is clear as to how and when the military gets involved. “The constitution also clearly defines the roles and functions of the armed forces. On the other hand, while citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful protest, they do not have a right to mobilise for anarchy to unleash terror.”

General Buba said the planned protest is to shadow happenings in Kenya which has so far been violent and unresolved to date.

For its part, the Department of State Services (DSS) warned against the planned protests on August 1, 2024, across the nation, urging the youths to eschew any form of proposed rage, anarchy and spoliation.
In a statement by the DSS spokesperson, Dr Peter Ahunanya, the DSS acknowledged that citizens have the right to protest, but protesting now will not benefit anyone.

It said the plotters of the protest desire to use the intended violent outcome to achieve a political end.
Part of the DSS statement stated that “while peaceful protest is a democratic right of citizens, the Service has confirmed a sinister plan by some elements to infiltrate the protest and use it to cause chaos and extreme violence in the land. It has also identified the reason behind the protest to be political.

“The plotters desire to use the intended violent outcome to smear the federal and sub-national governments, make them unpopular, and pit them against the masses. The long term objective is to achieve a regime change significantly at the centre.

“The Service has also identified, among others, the funding lines, sponsors and collaborators of the plot.

“However, it does not think that aggression should be the first line action in the instance, in handling the emerging scenario. Instead, it has applied non kinetic and conflict resolution strategies, including moral suasion, stakeholder engagement and other multi-track diplomatic shuttles, to dissuade the planners from actualising their undesirable objective.”

It noted that different levels of government had explained their agenda to ameliorate alleged harsh economic conditions, and urged the prospective protesters to listen to the voice of reason, good conscience and patiently engage with the authorities in the interest of peace.

“Meanwhile, the website, dss.gov.ng; email address – [email protected] and Telephone lines +2349153391309; +2349088373514 will remain available to the members of the public who may wish to contact the Service,” it added.

I’m Not Averse To Demonstration – Says Tinubu

Meanwhile, after receiving a letter of credence from the newly appointed United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Mills Jr, President Tinubu emphasised the importance of sustaining democracy, its norms and institutions, noting that protests are an integral part of democracy.
He, however, said no government will condone demonstrations that lead to the destruction of lives and property.

The President made this comment at the Presidential Villa, Abuja Thursday.

He said, ‘’Our relationship with America is rich. We believe in democracy and freedom. Some of your predecessors worked hard during our transition to democracy, and we remember the likes of Ambassador Howard Jeter.

‘’We look forward to Nigeria and the United States continuously working to expand cooperation on shared goals and democratic values.

‘’During the military era, we made our voices heard against dictatorship, and I was part of the group that engaged in peaceful protests without resorting to the destruction of property.
‘’We have worked hard to ensure 25 years of unbroken democracy and I will continue to maintain this democracy.

‘’In as much as we believe that demonstrations are part of democracy, we will never encourage any protests that lead to the destruction of lives and property,’’ the President said in a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale.

Welcoming the U.S. State Department’s acknowledgement of Nigeria’s strategic role on the continent as Africa’s largest democracy, President Tinubu called on the U.S. government to pay more attention to Africa.

‘’Nigeria is ready to play its role as the largest democracy in Africa that is worthy of emulation to other African countries, but we need more U.S. partnership on the continent that is beneficial to both sides.

‘’We believe in freedom, and we are providing the leadership to make Nigeria’s economy grow,’’ the President said.

Ambassador Mills affirmed U.S. support for Nigeria’s democracy, and pledged support for bigger roles for Nigeria in the international arena.

‘’Nigeria is crucial to the United States because we share democratic values, and we are ready to give you all the support.

‘’I am here to make sure that the relationship blossoms both on democracy and the economic side,’’ Mills said.

Security Beefed Up In States

In Kwara State the Police Command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have put their personnel on red alert following threats of mass protests by some youths starting on August 1, 2024.

The spokesperson of the police in the state, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi said the command had put in place adequate measures to prevent any break down of law and order in the state before, during and after the August date for the planned protest.

“The command has put its personnel on red alert over the planned August 1 protest. We have emplaced watertight measures to forestall a recurrence of #EndSARS rioutous protest in any part of Kwara State,” she said.

The spokesman of NSCDC in Kwara State, Michael Shola said:” The Command has mapped out effective measures to manage the protest peacefully and maintain order by deploying additional personnel to strategic locations across the state.

“Adequate measures will also be in place to protect critical national assets and infrastructure that may be at risk due to criminal elements who might exploit the protest to engage in destruction and visualisation of essential facilities.

“We will coordinate closely with other security agencies to ensure effective response to any incidents, managing the protests peacefully and preventing any potential escalation.”
LEADERSHIP Friday observed increased patrol of major streets in Ilorin, the state capital, by the police personnel.

The policemen were also conducting stop and search operations on motorists in Ilorin metropolis.
Adamawa State government and security commanders are currently having security meetings over the planned hunger protest.

DSC Nyako Amidu Baba, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), confirmed this to LEADERSHIP Friday in Yola

Earlier, Commissioner of Police Morris Dankombo summoned 15 unions in the state to an emergency security meeting.

Also, in preparation for the proposed August 1 protest, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Kano state command, said it has developed an operational order for deploying all 3,550 officers across the state.

The command’s spokesperson Ibrahim Abdullahi told LEADERAHIP Friday in a telephone interview that the corps would ensure the security of lives, protect national assets and infrastructure, and be on the ground where the protest will likely hold.

“Our personnel from the operations department, critical national assets and infrastructure, armed squad unit, anti-vandalism, the seven area commands and the 44 divisional offices would be involved. The 3,550 personnel would be involved and be placed in strategic places and also places of protest to provide security, especially on national assets and infrastructure, as well as for those conducting the protest.”

In Borno State, due to the years of Boko Haram insurgency, there are measures put in place by the various security agencies to forestall any breakdown of law in the state.

However, in view of the ongoing planned protest by youths of Nigeria against the current economic hardships, the Borno police command said that it had, in collaboration with other security agencies, put measures in place to ensure that if the protest holds, it does not escalate to violence.

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum had recently convened a stakeholders’ meeting comprising the police, military, CSOs, and trade unions among others where he pleaded with citizens of the state and Nigerians to shun the planned protest considering what the state has passed through in the hands of the Boko Haram terrorists.

Stakeholders at the meeting, which also included traditional and religious leaders, unanimously agreed to pass message to followers not to partake in the protest.

Similarly, the state’s police command had in a statement issued by the police public relations officer ( PPRO ) ASP Nahum Daso, reminded the general public that the ban on any form of public procession in the state subsists.

In Sokoto State, efforts are being put in place to nip in the bud, the nationwide protest in the state.

“Though no individual, group, or organisation has been identified as the rallying point for the planned protest in Sokoto, police are not leaving anything to chance,

ASP Ahmad Rufai of Sokoto Police comman told our correspondent.
He said the command will engage stakeholders in dialogue to reach a compromise.

“We plan to hold dialogue with stakeholders, starting on Monday, with community leaders throughout the state.

“We will follow suit with others, including CSO, in subsequent days, “ he said.
In Niger State, the Police command said it is not oblivious that peaceful protest is a right, but the Police Command will not tolerate violent protest.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer Wasiu Abiodun said, however, that the Niger State Police Command, in collaboration with sister ecurity agencies, would deploy operational assets and an adequate number of personnel to dominate public places, ensure public safety, secure critical government infrastructure and maintain law and order.

Protest Won’t Hold In FCT, Wike Declares

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the planned nationwide hardship protest against the present administration will not be allowed to take place in the Territory because August 1, 2024, has been set aside to honour FCT traditional rulers.

Wike made this known on Thursday while briefing journalists after the FCT Security Council meeting, which was attended by the Minister of State for FCT, Dr Mariya Bunkure, the FCTA management team, Area Council chairmen, and heads of security agencies domiciled in FCT.

Earlier in the day, the FCT minister inspected a road project in Saburi, along the Dei-Dei community of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) where he told residents not to join ‘armed robbers’ to protest.

“Do not go and follow these armed robbers on the road who said they want to protest. There is nothing like protests. Abuja will not be part of it. What you want is good governance and we are willing to give you good governance,” he told the crowd in Pidgin English.

Meanwhile, after meeting with the heads of security agencies in the Capital Territory, the minister said they were all aware of the threat regarding what some people may call the ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest.

“We believe that, yes, we have the right to protest; we have the right to demonstrate, but all these have to come within the ambit of the law. We think that all Nigerians should work collectively to salvage our country during this period.

“I am aware that there are challenges, and Mr President and his team are working very hard to make sure that those problems facing our country are being solved. We know that it is a very difficult period for citizens.

“We urge all Nigerians also to have patience that at the end of the day, we will come out of these economic woes. We have seen the changes in the FCT, and we have seen that the government is working,” he added.

Provide Security For Protesters, TUC Urges Govt

Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has demanded that the federal government guarantee the safety of protesters during the planned August 1st protest against hardship.
TUC president, Comrade Festus Osifo, who addressed journalists in Abuja on the state of the nation highlighted the severe economic challenges facing the nation and called for urgent government intervention.

The labour leader particularly called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and other security agencies to ensure that the protesters remain peaceful and free from violence and vandalism even as he emphasised the importance of protecting protesters’ rights and preventing any disruption by hoodlums.

Osifo expressed concern over the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy and called on the government to address the exchange rate issues and consider removing import duties on essential machinery and farming implements to reduce production costs and encourage investment.

The TUC president also highlighted the need for improved security to enable farmers to return to their fields, particularly in the northern regions where insecurity has severely disrupted agricultural activities.
Additionally, he urged the government to collaborate across federal, state, and local levels to import food and alleviate the current hunger crisis.