President Bola Tinubu on Thursday met separately with APC governors, traditional rulers from across the country and Islamic clerics. The meetings are believed to be part of efforts to prevent the breakdown of law and order as Nigerian youths prepare for a nationwide protest.
The meeting with the APC governors was held first, followed by the meeting with the traditional rulers. The meeting with the Islamic clerics was still ongoing at the time of writing this report.
All meetings were held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, also attended the meeting with the traditional rulers.
Three traditional rulers who attended the meeting with the president spoke to reporters afterwards and called for calm.
“No one will be left unconcerned by the protests,” said the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli. “…we call on our people to be patient and to listen to words of wisdom.”
The Ooni of Ife, Enitan Ogunwusi, said traditional rulers are not against the protests but want them to be civil.
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“People who go out to protest have a civil right, but let them put a face to it and not let themselves be kidnapped by people with ulterior motives. That is our position,” he said.
Dein of Agbor said that while he understands the grievances of Nigerians, he believes the government is taking the right decisions and citizens should be patient.
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“I think if they give us the opportunity to protest, I know it will hurt them a lot, but if they give us the opportunity, let's not destroy our own country,” he said.
Many Nigerian youth have been discussing on social media and calling for mass protests next month to protest the cost of living crisis in the country.
Prices of basic goods and services have more than doubled since President Tinubu announced the removal of the gasoline subsidy last year.
Details to follow…