As Nigeria braces for potential demonstrations on August 1, President Bola Tinubu has cautioned against joining planned protests, attributing their organization to individuals with malevolent intentions exploiting the nation’s economic woes.
His warning was conveyed by the Secretary to the Government, George Akume, at a meeting with traditional leaders.
Highlighting the turmoil in countries like India and Sudan, President Tinubu emphasized the risks for Nigeria, a nation of over 200 million people.
Trade union leaders have called on the president to address the grievances behind the protests rather than dismissing them as politically motivated.
The Nigeria Labour Congress stressed the urgent need for government intervention amidst severe economic hardship.
Accusations have surfaced from the President’s camp, blaming supporters of former presidential candidate Peter Obi for orchestrating the protests.
Presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga has held Peter Obi responsible for potential unrest. However, the former president’s Labour Party has denied involvement, asserting the constitutional right to protest while rejecting the allegations as baseless.
The specter of past protests, such as the #EndSARS movement against police brutality, looms large. The #EndSARS protests, which succeeded in disbanding a notorious police unit but resulted in a violent crackdown, have left lasting scars.
Meanwhile, opposition to the planned protests is emerging from groups like the Self Reliance for Physically Challenged Traders of Nigeria, who fear a repeat of the #EndSARS chaos.
Elsewhere in Africa, similar tensions are evident, with Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni warning against protests and Kenyan police using tear gas to disperse demonstrators in Nairobi.
