The federal government has urged planned protesters to reconsider their actions, stating that President Bola Tinubu is “already protesting on behalf” of potential demonstrators by implementing measures to address their concerns.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris disclosed this to State House correspondents on Monday after President Tinubu presided over the federal executive council meeting at the Presidential Villa.
Idris revealed that the government has launched several initiatives to alleviate Nigerians’ economic hardships.
He emphasised that many of the protesters’ demands are already being tackled.
He said, “The FEC’s position is that most of the demands the protesters are making are being addressed by the federal government.
“Therefore, the government views there is no need for the protests again because most of the things that the protesters are putting forward have already been addressed or are being addressed by the government. As we have said repeatedly, this is a listing government.
“The President has listened to the voices of all those planning this protest. The message is that there is no need for it.
“Indeed, the President is already protesting on their behalf by doing things that they want a government to do; for example, the government is making an effort to ensure that food is available.
The minister listed some key measures the administration has taken, including distributing subsidised rice at 40,000 Naira per bag, a 50% discount from market prices, and allocating 20 trucks to each state for food distribution to the most vulnerable.
Others include the commencement of student loan disbursements, with provisions for over 2 million students, plans to employ about 3 million youth through the MTT program and the introduction of CNG vehicles to reduce transportation costs by 60% potentially.
Idris acknowledged that while these efforts may not be sufficient to address all concerns immediately, they represent “necessary first steps” in the government’s broader economic strategy.
The Minister appealed to planned protesters to reconsider their actions, warning of the potential for demonstrations to be hijacked by “unscrupulous elements.”
He stressed that while peaceful protest is a democratic right, the government believes current circumstances do not warrant such actions.
