Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately dialogue with the leaders of protesters planning to take to the streets tomorrow, October 1, 2024.
The CSOs wondered why Tinubu delayed his promise to engage the protesters in dialogue.
With Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day just hours away, tensions are rising as fresh nationwide protests are set to occur on October 1.
This follows the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations in August, where thousands of Nigerians demanded reforms and relief amid hardship.
Rising fuel prices have caused increasing hardship, and protesters are determined to go on the streets to show their frustration.
One reason for the continued unrest is that over 1,000 #EndBadGovernance protesters remain in various prison facilities across the country after being charged with treason by the government.
Some of the protesters have been granted bail, but they must pay N10 million each, particularly the 10 who were charged in Abuja.
The CSOs who spoke to LEADERSHIP are the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Transparency International (TI) and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).
Speaking through their leader, Awwal Musa Rafsanjani, the CSOs said even though the protesters should peacefully conduct themselves, Tinubu should honour his words by initiating a dialogue with them.
Rafsanjani, who advised Tinubu to show serious commitment by engaging in dialogue with the protesters, added that such can help in moving the country forward, rather than keeping quiet.
Rafsanjani, who expressed disappointment with the present happenings in the country, stated that the government’s failure to initiate discussions with the protesters and address their grievances indicates a lack of commitment to resolving the underlying issues.
“President Tinubu promised to hold dialogue with protesters and Nigerian stakeholders, but he has not followed through. This signals that the government may not be willing to address the concerns that led to the August protests,” he said.
“To avoid the planned October protests, President Tinubu should demonstrate genuine commitment by engaging in meaningful dialogue to resolve the issues Nigerians are facing,” he added.
Meanwhile, protest leaders have urged participants to remain peaceful and refrain from violent confrontations or vandalisation of public property.
Varsity students oppose plan, demand CNG bus distribution
The new leadership of the National Association of University Students (NAUS) has opposed the proposed nationwide protest on October 1.
It, however. called on the Federal Government to distribute 3,000 CNG buses to all institutions to help cushion the effects of the removal of subsidy on university students.
At a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, NAUS national president Comrade Josiah Oche Peter urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) to take proactive steps to ensure all filling stations sell PMS at a uniform price and that the nation’s refineries are operational.
He also expressed appreciation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts toward educational reforms and the NELFUND innovation, just as he passed a vote of confidence on the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement, Hon. Sunday Asefon Dayo.
“Having observed the current hardships, from foreign exchange irregularities to fuel scarcity, skyrocketing food prices, and the general decline in living conditions, we felt it necessary to address the nation and the student populace. We recognize the profound difficulties caused by the recent hike in fuel prices and understand the strain it places on our students and society.
“NAUS calls on the NNPC to ensure all filling stations sell PMS at a uniform price and to encourage companies like Dangote to build more refineries to alleviate the effects of high fuel prices on Nigerians while appealing for a reduction in petroleum product prices.”
On the planned protest, he urged university students to shun all forms of protest, “as we will engage in dialogue with relevant authorities to protect NAUS’s interests, except as a last resort if our demands are not met.”
FG Distributes 64 CNG Buses To Workers, Students
The federal government has handed over 64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
When deployed for commuter service, the buses will significantly reduce transportation costs in the country, bringing hope for a more affordable and efficient public transport system.
The handover of the buses took place on Sunday at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.
According to a statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, led the government delegation that included the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, and the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande.
Edun described the distribution of the buses as fulfilling President Bola Tinubu’s promise to provide affordable and efficient transportation to support Nigerians after the removal of fuel subsidies under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PCNGi).
He emphasised that this initiative aims to alleviate the burden on the poor and vulnerable and support macroeconomic reforms that would position the country toward economic stability.
The minister further explained that the symbolic handover of 64 buses on the eve of Nigeria’s National Day marks the beginning of a broader national rollout, with the plan to distribute over 500 CNG buses and 100 electric vehicles in the first instance.
He added that the CNG initiative aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to cleaner energy while leveraging its energy resources for industrialisation.
”Today marks another critical milestone in the policies of President Tinubu. It is a transition to cleaner fuel. It is for Nigerians. The emphasis is on mass transit. The minister said there is an emphasis on intervening on the side of workers so that they have cheaper transport to cope with rising prices.
He also highlighted the CNG initiative’s impact on inflation.
”We’ve had an initial spike in inflation, now it has peaked and is coming down. Mr President and the whole team are determined to ensure that we keep inflation coming down, and this is one of the major ways,” he said.
The Coordinating Minister of the Economy noted that the fuel cost for CNG-powered vehicles is about one-third of the fuel for petrol-powered vehicles.
He said motorists can now pay as low as N15,000 to fill a tanks instead of N50,000 or more.
”Today, it is CNG. Tomorrow, it will help farmers cope with the remainder of the wet season planting and then the dry season planting, starting in November, with fertiliser, inputs, seeds, and herbicides.
”This is all to get prices down and the economy moving again, ” he said.
The Secretary-General and Chief Executive of TUC, Comrade Nuhu Toro; NANS president, Comrade Lucky Emonefe; and the Head of International Desk, NLC, Comrade Uche Ekwe, commended President Tinubu for the gesture.
They called for more CNG buses to be made available to the public.
Toro also thanked the President for approving the N70,000 new national minimum wage.
”This move is a significant step in alleviating the economic burden of Nigerian workers.”
NANS president Comrade Emonefe praised the government for its commitment to education and student welfare, citing the provision of a student loan scheme for higher education.
“Nigerian students are happy to be celebrating the 64th anniversary of independence. We are not only happy with the CNG buses; we believe that the current President loves the welfare of students and has shown his commitment to this.”
The NLC representative noted that the benefits of the CNG buses would become more apparent once more buses are deployed across the country.
”If we get more buses, the effect will translate immediately to Nigerians. If people start entering these buses, they will publicise it in the public and their neighbourhood,” he said.
Michael Oluwagbemi, programme director/chief executive of PCNGi, said that since its establishment one year ago, over 125 conversion centres have been established, compared to the initial seven.
He said investment in the sector has exceeded $175 million, with 12 new mother stations commissioned and 75 more under construction.
Technician training is being ramped up, with 40 new technicians trained weekly. Over 34,000 conversion kits have been ordered, and more than half have already been distributed, he said.
Noting that vehicle conversions are taking place at 53 centres in eight states, he said the centres would be expanded to all the 36 states and the FCT.
Police assure of adequate security
Ahead of tomorrow’s planned #FearlessInOctober protest, security agencies have said they have no plans to stop peaceful protesters, even as FCT and Lagos commands commence officer deployments today.
The commissioner of police, FCT, CP Tunji Disu, will today announce the full deployment of police officers in the FCT. These officers have been tasked with ensuring peace, protecting peaceful protesters, and protecting lives and property in the FCT.
Also, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Olanrewaju Ishola, has ordered the immediate and optimal deployment of human and operational resources across strategic locations ahead of the protest.
Police spokesperson for Lagos State, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the commissioner had charged the officers to be professional and civil but firm.
Hundeyin also said CP Ishola had met with the people alleged to be organisers of the proposed October 1 protest.
Hundeyin said the meeting with the protest organisers was part of proactive measures to ensure the state’s safety and security.
The police commissioner also urged the protesters to remain peaceful and law-abiding in all their actions.
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