The Federal Government has said that there is no longer a need for protests, as it is already addressing the demands of aggrieved Nigerians.
During a press briefing after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, highlighted the government’s efforts in responding to the issues raised by those planning the protests.
“Many of the issues that those planning the protest are putting forward are being addressed. Government is putting efforts to make sure that food is made available,” Idris stated.
“Rice has been taken to various centers across the country and it is being sold for N40,000. This is just the beginning and a necessary first step. Other efforts are underway.
“There is so much investment going into the agricultural sector and we believe that as we move forward, the price of food will come down.”
Idris emphasised that the government is also tackling other critical concerns.
“The student loan is ensuring that no youth who wants to go to school will be left out. By the time the CNG (compressed natural gas) takes full course, the transportation issues will be resolved,” he added.
Despite these assurances, the Take It Back Movement has reaffirmed its plans to hold a nationwide protest against economic hardship and hunger on August 1, 2024.
The movement is currently engaged in a dispute over the use of Eagle Square in Abuja as the primary protest venue.
Damilare Adenola, Mobilization Director of the Take It Back Movement, stated on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics that the group had formally requested permission from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to use the venue.
“We are going to be at Eagle Square on August 1st. The truth is that the Eagle Square is a public property. When I saw the video of the minister, I was amazed because I saw the minister asking us to pay rent, pay security fees and all that.
“My question to the minister is this: how does the minister expect a greater population of Nigerian youths who are impoverished, who have no jobs, to afford what he is expecting us to pay?” Adenola questioned.
Adenola claimed the request was made through a letter dated July 26, 2024, and published on social media.
He suggested that bureaucratic delays might be responsible for the non-receipt of the letter and questioned the fairness of Wike’s demands given the economic challenges faced by many Nigerians.
“If Wike insists that he hasn’t received it, the alternative is that he was served by publication because many Nigerian ministries streamline what to receive or not. If he says he didn’t get it physically, then we could as well say that he was served by publication,” Adenola asserted.
Wike, however, stated that he had not received the request as of Saturday. He criticized the movement for applying via social media and emphasized that formal procedures must be followed, including payment for security costs and facility usage.
Wike also noted that other groups had already secured the venue, stressing that requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
In response to the planned protests, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) held a meeting in Abuja to discuss the situation, starting Wednesday night and ending early Thursday.
Security concerns surrounding the protests have prompted travel advisories from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Each country warned its citizens to avoid potential trouble spots, citing risks of violence and disruption.
The UK advisory stated, “Political rallies, protests, and violent demonstrations can take place with little notice. Get advice on areas to avoid. Take care if you’re visiting crowded public places or attending events which attract large crowds. If you see a threatening or intimidating situation, do not try to make your way through it. Turn around and move to safety.”
The US Mission in Abuja advised Americans to steer clear of rallies and stay informed via local media, while the UK High Commission and Canadian government similarly cautioned their nationals to exercise caution and monitor local developments closely.
As the protest date approaches, the situation remains tense with both the government and protest organizers standing firm on their positions.