The Nigerian government has called for an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss the planned nationwide protest set for August 1, 2024.
This was contained in a circular titled ‘Planned Nationwide Protest’ and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, Richard Pheelangwah, dated July 23, 2024.
It read, “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 comes after President Bola Tinubu through the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris called on Nigerians to stop the planned protest.
In an interview with state house correspondents on Tuesday, the Minister said Tinubu’s administration needed more time to execute people-oriented programs.
“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.
The scheduled protest is set to take place amid the growing economic difficulties in Nigeria.
This comes as the country grapples with soaring core inflation at 34.19 percent and food inflation at 40.87 percent. The ongoing implications are being felt through rising commodity prices, leading to a reduction in the purchasing power of citizens.
Nigerians have insisted on going forward with the protest despite the recent approval of the N70,000 minimum wage and its passage on Tuesday by the Nigerian Senate.
The protest was inspired by the month-long protest in Kenya which saw citizens demanding the reversal of the Finance Act and other anti-policies by the Kenyan Government.
