On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu held a series of important meetings at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He met with governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC), traditional rulers from across Nigeria, and Islamic clerics. These meetings are part of efforts to prevent unrest as young Nigerians plan nationwide protests.
The first meeting was with APC governors, followed by a meeting with traditional rulers. Key officials, including Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and the chairperson of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, attended the session with the traditional rulers.
Three traditional rulers spoke to journalists after their meeting, urging calm among the populace. “Nobody that will not be worried about the protest,” said the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli.
He added, “We are calling on our people to exercise patience and to listen to the words of wisdom.”
The traditional rulers also pressed the president to improve efforts to address the country’s insecurity.
“The main problem in this country, especially the north, is insecurity. If the security situation is addressed, certainly people will go back to their farms, and the issue of hunger will drastically reduce and disappear,” Mr. Bamalli explained.
Traditional Rulers’ Stance on Protests
The Ooni of Ife, Enitan Ogunwusi, expressed support for the right to protest but emphasized the need for civility.
“People that are out there to protest, it’s their civic right, but let them put a face to it and don’t let it be hijacked by people that have ulterior motives. That is our stand,” he stated.
Similarly, the Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Keagborekuzi, acknowledged the grievances of Nigerians but urged patience.
“I think if you give us the chance, this protest, I know that it’s catching very high in your neck, but if you give us the chance, let us not destroy our own country,” he said.
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Aminu Daurawa, one of the clerics at the meeting, conveyed a clear message to President Tinubu: “He should invite the youth as soon as possible, address their grievances, and take decisive action immediately.”
Military and Opposition Reactions
Earlier that day, the Nigerian military warned against the planned protests, citing potential risks of anarchy and violence. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, highlighted indicators that some elements might hijack the protests for violent purposes. He emphasized that while citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful protest, they do not have the right to incite anarchy.
Opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, affirmed the right to protest.
Atiku stated, “Any attempt to suppress these rights is unconstitutional and a direct affront to democracy.”