President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pleaded with organisers to abort nationwide protests being planned for August against the harshness and sufferings inflicted by his administration’s policies since May 2023.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, communicated the President’s message, while addressing State House reporters after a meeting with Tinubu on Tuesday.
According to Mohammed, the President said measures were already ongoing to address prevailing challenges.
The Minister said, “We also discussed the issue of the country generally and Mr President has asked me to again inform Nigerians that he listens to them, especially the young people that are trying to protest.
“Mr President said he listens to them and takes what they say seriously; and he is working assiduously to ensure that this country is good not just for today but also for the future. 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 government’s response to all their pleas, he has listened to them.”
The Minister said a lot of positive things were happening already.
Mohammed submitted: “Only today the NASS has expeditiously passed the bill on National minimum wage. You can see how the President is working. The Bill was transmitted only yesterday and today it has been passed. A lot of other interventions that the President has put in place are also going to be looked at expeditiously in the interest of Nigerians, so there is no need for strike {protest}.
“The young people out there should listen to the President and allow the President more time to see to the realisation of all the goodies he has for them.”
According to him, other policies aimed at cushioning the effect of hardship Nigerians currently faced included approved grains and rice being delivered to state governments.
