Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has called on unions, groups and individuals intending to join the planned August 1st protest across the country to shelve the idea.
The governor urged the intending protesters to “bring forth their demands and give the government a chance to look into them”.
Alia stated this on Sunday shortly after Mass at the Chapel of Grace, Government House, Makurdi.
Recall that August 1st, 2024 has been muted as the planned date for demonstration by Nigerian youths across the country.
They are protesting against hardship and bad governance.
Commenting on the issue, Alia said it was imperative for the planned protest to be shelved, especially as the present government is trying its best to put smiles on the faces of the people.
He commended the State Commissioner of Police, CP Hassan Steve Yabanet, as well as the Department of State Services, DSS, for inviting some union leaders and groups for a round table discussion, dissuading them and their members from joining the protest.
He noted that the government has uncovered plans by some individuals to infiltrate the protest, causing destructions.
Nationwide protest: Bring your demands – Gov Alia begs organizers to shelve idea
Nationwide protest: Bring your demands – Gov Alia begs organizers to shelve idea
Hunger protest: Six ways peaceful protests turn violent
A former Senator representing the Kaduna Central District in the 8th National Assembly, Shehu Sani, has stated that the shooting of protesters by armed security operatives is capable of turning a peaceful protest violent.
This, among other reasons, was listed by the ex-lawmaker on Sunday, July 28, 2024, in a tweet via his X handle, #ShehuSani.
Sani’s tweet comes in the buildup of an organised protest scheduled to take place from August 1 to 10, 2024 by some Nigerians calling on President Bola Tinubu-led government to ameliorate the hunger crisis in the country, among other national concerns.
In his tweet, Sani wrote, “Six factors that turn a peaceful protest into a violent one:
- Armed security forces shooting at protesters with live ammunition.
- Thugs among the protesters attacking and looting shops, offices, homes and public facilities.
- Sponsored thugs attacking peaceful protesters.
- Protesters’ refusal to obey their leaders leading to a loss of control.
- The clashing of two opposing protest groups.
- The infiltration of peaceful protesters by others with ulterior motives..”
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana had urged the Federal Government to listen to the demands of the organisers ahead of the nationwide planned protests while noting that the FG should not threaten the protesters as such could exacerbate the situation.
While featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday, Falana said, “How do you identify those who are issuing statements; those who are planning the protest, and then engage with them productively?
“But threats do not work. In fact, on some occasions, the desperation of the government also has a way of popularising such protests.”
Addressing the matter last Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, appealed to Nigerians who plan to stage nationwide hunger protests to shelve the plan as he called on citizens to give his administration enough time to respond to their requests.
“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,” Idris said after a closed-door meeting with the president.
There have been concerns from various politicians and groups demanding the protests be held while some others called for a halt.
“Chasing shadows and contriving purported persons behind the planned protests is an exercise in futility when it is obvious that Nigerians, including supporters of Tinubu and the ruling APC, are caught up in the hunger, anger, and hopelessness brought about by the incompetence and cluelessness of this government,” former Vice President and key opposition figure, Atiku Abubakar said on Tuesday in a tweet via his X handle, #atiku.
Also, the New Nigeria People’s Party, through its National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, told Sunday According that going after protesters was a violation of their constitutional right, noting that instead of clamping down on those legitimately exercising their civic rights, efforts should be made to protect them.
However, in response to requests to protest across the country, the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, had set guidelines for all organisers and groups planning to participate.
He specifically directed them to submit their details, proposed routes, and assembly points to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.
Reacting to this on Saturday, Sani tweeted, “The only way a protester can submit his name and address to the police is when he is charmed or ‘jazzed’ by a priest or a native doctor.”
National protest: ‘We won’t be used’ – Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders
The Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council Worldwide, NENYLCW, on Sunday, joined in the call for the cancellation of the scheduled nationwide protest.
The umbrella youth groups said they would not be used to advance selfish interests.
They group made up of all the ethnic youth groups in the country made the appeal during a press conference held in Abuja.
At the press conference were Comrade Terry Obeih, President General, Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders/NENYLCW, Alhaji Balarabe Rufai, President, Northern Youth Congress/ Vice President, NENYLCW, Aare Oladotun Hassan Esq, President, Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide/ Secretary General, NENYLCW, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, National President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide/ Publicity Secretary, NENYLCW, Comrade Emmanuel Zopmal, President, Middle-Belt Youth Council/ Organising Secretary, NENYLCW and Alhaji Hamisu Dass, President, North-East Youth Assembly/Treasurer, NENYLCW.
They said having reviewed the developments, it was in the best interest of the country to abort the protest.
According to them, “We took our time to study the intent of the protest and their organisers.
“However, three days to the said protest, the true organisers, as well as their intentions remain a mystery. Up till this moment, no one could point to the real identity of those engineering the protest. It, therefore, becomes dangerous to jump into such a ship.
“Having met and reviewed the situation, we declare as follows: That we are not a party to the protest and condemn it in its entirety.
“We are aware of the current hardship in the country, but it has become expedient to remind Nigerians that these problems were inherited. In the first place, fuel subsidy removal was a landmine laid for the current government by the immediate past administration.
“We are telling Nigeria youths that we are not part of the protest because we were not carried along in the planning and hoodlums are planning to hijack the process.
“As the apex youth organization in the country with over 407 ethnic nationality organizations, we were not carried along, rather Sowore and other personalities who are abroad are planning to use hapless Nigerians to achieve their selfish aims. This must not be allowed to happen.
We call on Nigerians to jettison the proposed national protest and do proper consultation with the critical youth stakeholders to avoid hijacking it and setting our country on fire.”
While reaffirming their support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, they added that “in as much as we admit that there are challenges facing the country, we don’t believe that protest is the way forward.
“Rather, we should all keep faith with the government as it makes conscious efforts to restore the fortunes of the country.
“Without mincing words, we restate that the entire Nigerian youths have confidence in President Tinubu’s government and would not do anything to jeopardise its efforts.
“In most cases, it only gets better after it has gotten worse, and that is the current situation in the country.
“Anyone looking for the youths to be used as sacrificial lambs should check elsewhere; never again shall we allow ourselves to be victims of such a nationwide action.”
National protest: ‘We won’t be used’ – Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders
NANS urges FG to address operational hurdles at Dangote Refinery
The National Association of Nigerian Students, on Saturday, concluded its 84th NANS National Senate sitting and urged the Federal Government to address the pressing operational challenges of the Dangote refinery to ameliorate the living conditions of Nigerians, especially the youth.
The NANS Senate President, Babatunde Akinteye, read the communiqué after the sitting, held at Assembly Hall, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, in Oyo State. He commended the company for significantly enhancing the economic fortunes of the country by providing employment for young people in Nigeria.
He explained that the operation of the refinery at full capacity would bring immense benefits to the nation’s economy and create job opportunities.
Akinteye said, “The leadership of NANS, during its 84th National Senate sitting, ratified this decision, among others. We urgently appeal to the Federal Government to address any impasse caused by the pressing issue of the Dangote refinery. Among many other businesses in Nigeria, the company has done remarkably well in enhancing the economic fortunes of our dear country by providing employment for many young people, supporting the construction of critical infrastructure through its Corporate Social Responsibility, and other contributions to governance in Nigeria.
“In the same vein, resolving the impasse with the company and ensuring that the refinery operates at full capacity will bring immense benefits to our economy, such as reducing fuel costs, creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and contributing to our country’s GDP.
“Resolving this operational conflict with the refinery will significantly alleviate the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians, providing much-needed relief to the common man,” he stated.
He lamented that Nigerians were facing economic hardship and appealed to the President Bola Tinubu-led government to put more effort into ameliorating their suffering.
“We are not oblivious to the current economic hardship in the country. It is crucial to still appreciate some of the efforts and achievements of the current government of President Tinubu in ameliorating the living conditions of Nigerians.
“While emphasising these achievements is not an attempt to be partisan or take sides with the current administration, we would like to clarify that the current economic challenges are not peculiar to Nigeria but a global phenomenon,” he explained.
Tinubu has pushed Nigeria to hopeless trajectory – Ex-APC vice chair Lukman
A former National Vice Chairman, North-West, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Salihu Lukman, has lamented that President Bola Tinubu has pushed the nation to a hopeless trajectory with his unaligned policies which has worsened living conditions of all Nigerians
Lukman, in a statement issued Sunday, wondered the kind of plan Tinubu has put in place to fix the problems.
He said even in terms of ameliorating the challenge facing Nigerians, the government has demonstrated lack of capacity to manage initiatives.
The former APC chieftain said for more than one year, it has been one explanation after the other, with hardly any clear blueprint or timeline when the downward slide of the Nigerian economy will end.
Lukman said: “Every day, the hopelessness of the government gets more exposed.
“And having pushed the nation to a hopeless trajectory, which has worsened living conditions of all Nigerians, what plan has President Asiwaju Tinubu put in place to fix the problem?
“Even in terms of ameliorating the challenge facing Nigerians, the government has demonstrated lack of capacity to manage initiatives resulting in compounding the allegations of embezzlement surrounding initiatives to ameliorate worsening conditions of citizens.”
Tinubu has pushed Nigeria to hopeless trajectory – Ex-APC vice chair Lukman
Northern youths pull out of hunger protest
The Northern Youth Leaders Forum, an umbrella body of 42 northern youth organisations, has announced that its members will not participate in the planned nationwide protest against hunger and poor governance.
The National President of the forum, Elliot Afiyo, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday.
The protest, tagged #EndBadGovernance, is scheduled to take place in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory from August 1 to 10, over the rising economic hardship in the country.
However, the forum alleged that the planned protest aims to destabilise Nigeria, particularly the northern region and Abuja, through the massive destruction of government infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and railways.
Afiyo said, “While acknowledging that protests are legal and constitutional means of expressing citizens’ dissatisfaction with the government, it should be noted that the timing, method, capacity, environment, and necessity for such protests must be considered before they are carried out. In light of these factors, we would like to clarify and reveal the dangerous signals, schedules, strategies, planned activities, and operational guidelines by the promoters of these protests.
“Although the NYLF was willing and prepared to actively participate by mobilising Northern youth, after receiving intelligence reports and briefings, the NYLF has decided not only to withdraw from the protests but also to ensure that the protests do not occur at all.
“We want to make it clear that the majority of the promoters of these protests are not aware of the plans because a minority are collaborating with foreign organizations and governments to execute an international conspiracy against Nigeria.
“We strongly warn the Federal Government and all security agencies to ensure that no more than 10 people are allowed to gather in any part of the country between August 1 and 10, 2024, except for religious gatherings. Even then, there should be proper and diligent screening and checks.
“We want to state clearly that the Northern youth will hold the government and security agencies responsible and regard them as potential collaborators in destroying our country and our future.”
August 1: Kaduna Police Command cautions residents, ask protesters to provide details
The Kaduna State Police Command says it is closely monitoring developments surrounding the planned protest scheduled from 1st August to 10th August.
A statement issued by the spokesman of the state Command, ASP Mansir Hassan, on Sunday, said, “We have observed that while some groups are advocating for peaceful demonstrations, others are calling for violent protests, drawing inspiration from recent events in Kenya.
“Additionally, there are individuals who claim to support peaceful protests but with undertones of violence, raising concerns about their true intentions.”
The Command commended those who have decided to withdraw from the protest, and urged citizens of Kaduna State to exercise caution and reconsider joining any protest groups.
The statement noted that while it respects the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protests, “a peaceful protest at this time may be ill-timed due to the potential for exploitation by groups with malicious intentions”.
“We issue a stern warning to clandestine groups plotting to destabilize the country and to hoodlums seeking to exploit the protests for their criminal agendas.
“We will not tolerate the killing of innocent citizens, the destruction of public infrastructure and private property, or the looting of businesses,” the statement added.
In the interest of public safety and order, the Command requested all groups planning to protest to provide necessary details to the Commissioner of Police.
To facilitate a successful and incident-free protest, the statement also asked for the proposed protest routes and assembly points and expected duration of the protest.
The statement said that names and contact details of protest leaders and organizers should be provided to prevent hijacking by criminal elements.
“By providing the information, the Police would be able to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety, designate specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities, establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise and minimize the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.
“The Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Ali Dabigi, encourages all protesters to cooperate with the Police, obey the law, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly to guarantee a safe and successful exercise of their rights.
“We are committed to working with all Nigerians to promote peaceful expression and maintain public order,” the statement noted.
August 1: Kaduna Police Command cautions residents, ask protesters to provide details
Eno hails large turnout at PDP ward congress
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has hailed the large turnout recorded during the just-concluded ward congress of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, describing it as a confirmation of unity within the party.
The state PDP chapter on Saturday, 27th July 2024, conducted its ward congress to elect new ward executives across the state.
Speaking at his Ibiakpan Obotim Ward 2, in the Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Eno lauded the state PDP faithful, urging them to remain committed to the party’s success.
While expressing satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the congress, the governor said, “From the reports we have received across the state, the ward congress went well and all the party’s guidelines and principles were observed.
“We had our party representatives from Abuja, independent observers, as well as INEC around. So all the requirements were met. It’s been a very peaceful congress and we trust God that this is how it will continue. The large turnout is a sign of future successes and confirmation of our party’s leadership.”
In his remarks, the state PDP Chairman, Aniekan Akpan, described the outcome of the ward congress as very peaceful and smooth, affirming the party’s readiness to participate in and win the upcoming Local Government elections.
The state Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi, lauded the party for ensuring that every member has a sense of belonging, which was reflected in the massive show of support and love during the congress.
On his part, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, affirmed that the outcome of the PDP congress was confirmation that the state remains a stronghold of the PDP, as he expressed confidence that the party would continue to record success in elections.
Abiodun mourns Senator Ubah
The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has described the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah as shocking and a great loss to the country.
Governor Abiodun, in a condolence message on Sunday to the people and government of Anambra State on the demise of the lawmaker, coming just a few hours after that of the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, said Ubah’s death has left a great void that will be difficult to fill.
The Senator, representing Anambra South Senatorial District, reportedly died in London on Saturday.
The SGF Chairman described Senator Ubah as a self-made man, a politician, business mogul, and philanthropist, who contributed his quota to the development of the nation.
He said the deceased, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Capital Oil, was a major player in the oil industry while also contributing to the upliftment of the needy through his Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation.
He said: “Today, we mourn the loss of a visionary leader and a true advocate for the people of Anambra State and Nigeria.
“Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s sudden demise has left a void that will be difficult to fill. His untimely departure is not only a loss for his family and loved ones but also for the entire state and the nation. We recognise and appreciate the significant contributions he made during his tenure as a senator and his commitment to the betterment of Anambra State.
“Throughout his career, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and an unwavering passion for serving the people.”
According to Abiodun, beyond his political achievements, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah will be remembered for his compassion, humility, and genuine concern for the well-being of others.
“We stand in solidarity with the government and people of Anambra State during this difficult period,” he added.
Port Harcourt Disco warns customers over infractions
The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc has warned customers in its franchise states against sharp practices and urged them to desist from colluding with any fraudulent staff of the company.
Additionally, the company stated that it is not responsible for the banding of customers, clarifying that banding is entirely the responsibility of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the body regulating the electricity value chain.
The PHED Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Ochuko Amah, issued the warning during an exclusive luncheon for its maximum demand customers, tagged ‘MD Customers’ Meet’ in Port Harcourt.
Amah, who was represented by the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Efemena Elutabe, was responding to complaints by some customers about the activities of certain PHED staff.
She said, “As a customer, please don’t collaborate with fraudulent staff. When there is an issue, it normally takes some time because there is a procedure. But that procedure is not forever. So if a staff member says to you this problem will take some time but there is a shorter way, no. It is not our way. Report such staff and management will know what to do with that staff.”
She explained that the event was to exchange ideas with customers, understand their concerns, appreciate them, and get feedback, all aimed at providing better service. She pointed out that PHED is in business because of its customers, whom she described as key.
Amah stated, “This event is actually like an evolution of what we want to start doing. That’s appreciating our customers more. And finding time to really have that collaboration where we can get more feedback from them to know exactly what is happening within their own space in terms of not just managing their energy but also the interactions that they have with our staff at all levels.
“That’s the MD customers. So we are just doing this to make sure that we start having that collaboration. And at the same time, hear from them. See where we can have a win-win situation in helping them and also helping ourselves.”
On the efficiency of the recently introduced banding regime and feedback from electricity consumers, the PHED Managing Director urged customers to follow the energy by paying more attention to where it is being supplied.
“We had a customer who was complaining that they don’t get 20 hours of energy. Meanwhile, it was the chief engineer who was actually doing diesel racketeering at the end of the day. So they were actually getting more than 20 hours but he was not reporting it because he had to prove that they were using diesel, which they were not using.
“The reality is that the banding is not done by us. The banding is done by NERC and the banding is based on the availability of hours of energy that will go to that area. That is why I say it’s highly regulated.
“We (PHED) just work with the banding and try as much as possible to provide infrastructure that will make some of these places have more light, that’s more energy. With that, it will be easy for us to move them up the band from D to C to B. Our real target is to move everybody to band A in the long run,” she disclosed.