Those planning an anti-government protest have been told to shelve the idea and await the government’s response.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday urged Nigerians to give the government more time for economic policies to bear fruit.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike said the protest was politically motivated.
Also yesterday, students said they would organise a solidarity rally in support of the government in Lagos.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, who cautioned against a violent protest, vowed not to allow anarchy.
The Cross River State government vowed to crack down on any violent protest, saying it was yet to recover from the massive destruction of infrastructure during the 2020 #ENDSARS protest.
The President, who spoke through Minister for Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, appealed to Nigerians for understanding and more time to enable him to tackle the mounting challenges and clear the path to a new lease of life.
As part of measures to alleviate the economic crisis, the president outlined relief action plans targeted at vulnerable Nigerians, students and young graduates.
Idris conveyed the President’s message while speaking with reporters at the State House in Abuja.
He said President Tinubu was not aloof to the grievances of those planning the protest, adding that he is committed to ensuring a better future for Nigeria.
The minister alluded to the quick passage of the National Minimum Wage Bill by the National Assembly as evidence of President Tinubu’s commitment to swift action.
The protest, scheduled for August 1, is being organised by unidentified individuals and groups, who are mobilising on social media.
Idris urged the youths to give the President more time to implement his people-oriented plans, emphasising that the protest was unnecessary because the government was already responding to their pleas.
He 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 trying to protest.
“Mr President is listening to them. He 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 has asked them to shelve that plan.
“He asked them to await the government’s response to all their pleas. He has listened to them and a lot is happening.
“Only today (yesterday), the National Assembly expeditiously passed the Bill on National Minimum Wage. You can see how the President is working. It was transmitted only yesterday (Monday). 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’s no need for a strike. The young people out there should listen to the President and allow more time to see to the realisation of all the goodies he has for them.”
Reeling out other interventionist programmes, the minister said the Federal Government would make sure that intended beneficiaries savour them directly without intermediaries.
The minister said the recent approval and delivery of grains and rice to state governments were the first step in this direction.
Idris stressed “For example, you saw that the Federal Government approved grains and rice for state governments. It was delivered to them expeditiously also.
“It is just the necessary first step. The government is going to continue in that direction, supporting them and ensuring that whatever interventions the Federal Government has put in place go to those that should benefit. It is very important that it is being put out.
“The Federal Government is looking at strategies that every intervention would go directly to those who benefit from those interventions, not middlemen intervening along the way.”
Idris drew attention to the Student Loan Board set up to ensure that every eligible student can access tertiary education without financial constraints.
He added: “Number two, you heard about the student loan board that was launched by the President. He is very passionate about deepening that. Everyone that should go to school will have the opportunity to go to school.
“No longer will young, able-bodied men and women who have passed the examinations be unable to attend tertiary institutions because their parents cannot pay their fees.
“This is a thing of the past. The government is very desirous of ensuring that happens. You know the provision that was made to the NELFUND.
“Already, we have in excess of what is required today and the more the people are requiring that, the more the President will also give.
“Furthermore, the government is perfecting a scheme to support young graduates who are yet to secure employment after completing their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. This initiative is part of the administration’s commitment to leaving no one behind in its quest for progress.
“There is also the intervention the President is working out for those young men and women who have finished school, but who are yet to get employed, post-NYSC. For example, there is a scheme the government is perfecting now and that is also going to be pushed fast so that all those young men and women who have finished school, graduates of universities and polytechnics that are unable to get jobs, will continue to be supported by the government until such a time that those jobs are offered to them.”
