Protest:Senator advices looters and vandals …assures constituents of responsive representation

By Caroline Ameh Senator Babangida Hussaini (APC Jigawa North West) on Monday in Abuja, has expressed worry over looting and vandalism being inflicted on public and private properties by violent protesters in some parts of the country. In a personally signed statement, Senator Hussaini specifically berated those who turned national protest against perceived bad governance into looting and vandalism of public and private properties in Jigawa State. He said though he was affected by the violent protest but not deterred from giving the people of Jigawa North West, quality and responsive representation in the Senate through development-driven legislation. The statement reads in part: “I feel deeply touched by the unfortunate incidences across the nation resulting from the national protests by some Nigerians ostensibly in the exercise of their legitimate concerns on the state of the nation, on 1st August, 2024. “My thoughts and sympathies go to the people of my senatorial district, Jigawa State and Nigerians whose lives were lost and property vandalized and looted by miscreants under the guise of a national protest against perceived bad governance. “As one of the victims of the wanton destruction of property and looting in Jigawa State, I consider what happened as a manifestation of the unfortunate circumstances in which we found ourselves as a nation at this historic moment. “It is clear to all that the predictable negative consequences of the demonstrations do not in any way define the issues being canvassed by the organizers, instead they reveal the orchestrated intentions of mischief makers and the enemies of State to destabilize the polity for their selfish interests. “I wish to assure my constituents that I am not angry at what has happened to me personally and I cannot be DETERRED or DISTRACTED from my legislative service compact with the people of Jigawa North West Senatorial District. “In fact, I remain RESOLUTE and COMMITTED in serving my people more than ever before in the pursuit of effective legislation that will positively impact the people of my Senatorial District and Nigeria in general, under the legislative agenda of the 10′ National Assembly, headed by Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “.

BREAKING: FG Tightens Security At Borders Ahead Of Planned Protests

By Doris Isreal Ijeoma The Federal Government has ramped up border security throughout the country in response to the upcoming protests against poor governance. The Comptroller General of the Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, issued orders to all Zonal Heads, State Command Comptrollers, and Divisional Immigration Officers (DIOS) across the country to implement these heightened security protocols. According to the Service’s spokesperson, DCI Kenneth Udo, the directive aims to prevent foreign individuals from entering the country to participate in the protests. The statement emphasized the importance of vigilance and increased surveillance due to the upcoming protests organized by various groups. Nandap also announced the temporary suspension of all leave applications and instructed officers to maintain the highest levels of professionalism and patriotism during and after the protests. The Comptroller General assured Nigerians of the Service’s readiness to secure the nation’s borders and contribute to national security, reinforcing the government’s commitment to maintaining order during the planned demonstrations. The statement read, “The Comptroller General noted that, in keeping with the responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s gateways placed on the shoulders of the Service, officers, especially Heads of Border Commands, are tasked to rise to the occasion by ensuring that no foreign element can take advantage of the protest to distabilize the country. “She directs temporary suspension of all leave applications and charges officers to exercise utmost professionalism and patriotism in the discharge of their duties. during and after the protest, explaining that Nigeria is the only country we have as our own. “The CGIS assures all Nigerians of the service’s preparedness to safeguard the nation’s borders towards enhancing national security.”

Protest: Police Withdraw Personnel Assigned Private Duties

Police confirm killing of 6 persons in Zamfara

By Doris Isreal Ijeoma As days of nationwide hunger protests, slated to take off in August, draw near; Nigeria Police have notified public officers that private security personnel assigned to them would be withdrawn. Nigeria Police said the withdrawal was necessary due to the urgent nature of the nationwide protest.  Police added that the personnel assigned would be needed to augment the capacity and capability of police personnel needed for the nationwide protest. The memo from the Commanding Officer – No2 Squadron, Police Mobile Force, Nigeria Police, Keffi Street, Lagos – was published by former chairman of Nationa Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu. Signed by CSP Okon Moses – Second in Command, No2 Squadron, Police Mobile Force, Keffi Street, Lagos; the memo titled “Notification of temporary withdrawal of personnel for national assignment” said sufficient officers are needed to dominate the public space ahead of and during the protest. It read: “In view of the planned nationwide protest, it becomes imperative to temporarily withdraw some of the personnel attached to you in order to muster sufficient officers to dominate the public space. “This is part of the proactive necessary measures to enhance the operational capacity and capability of the squadron and your understanding in the above regard is highly solicited. “Accept as usual the assurances of the esteemed regards of the Commanding Officer, Please.”

Don’t Use Oro To Threaten Protesters – Gbadebo

Former Lagos State Labour Party governorship candidate, Gbedebo Rhodes-Vivour, has advised against using the traditional Yoruba ritual, Oro, to threaten protesters. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of assaulting Yoruba traditional institutions. He said the Yoruba are known for justice and fairness through upholding their traditions. Gbadebo’s statement on Thursday followed an announcement on the Lagospedia X handle, on Wednesday. The handle announced that traditionalists in Lagos have fixed Oro to hold from August 1 to 15. Lagos State government was accused of sponsoring the Oro event to shun the planned “EndbadgovernanceinNigeria” protest slated on August 1. Gbadebo said, “The campaign by APC propaganda handles to use ORO – a sacred ritual in Yoruba land – to threaten protesters is an assault on our traditional institution. Casualizing centuries of a hallowed ritual with such juvenile intent debases our culture and corrupts our revered institution. “The Yoruba are obsessed with Justice and fairness, not only as a guiding principle but also as a defining feature. It explains why, although the subjects recognize their king as an authority second only to the gods, the community does not tolerate high-handedness on the part of the king. Whenever they perceive such, there is bound to be a protest.” He said while he supports peace and patience from the youths, the right to peaceful assembly must be respected by traditional leaders. “I urge patience and restraint from our youth but defend their right to peaceful assembly. More importantly, I call on our respected traditional leaders to condemn our tradition’s desecration and guard our revered institutions jealously,” he added.

APC begs Nigerians to shun nationwide protest over hardship

APC Suspends Kogi Guber Campaign

By Doris Isreal Ijeoma The national working committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has urged Nigerians to refrain from participating in the planned protest against President Bola Tinubu’s administration scheduled for August 1-10.  In a briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday, following the NWC’s 153rd meeting, APC National Secretary Surajudeen Basiru made this appeal. He encouraged Nigerians to trust in the current government’s ability to address the country’s economic issues. “The APC, alongside President Tinubu, appeals to those planning protests to reconsider their plans,” Basiru stated. “We ask for confidence in the government’s efforts to resolve the nation’s economic challenges.” Basiru acknowledged that the Tinubu administration, since its inception in 2023, has faced significant economic hurdles. He assured that the president is implementing policies and programs aimed at alleviating these issues and providing relief to citizens in the near future. He also noted that many of the country’s economic problems are global in nature and require comprehensive solutions. Some issues raised by protest organizers are political or constitutional and can only be addressed through amendments, which are currently underway in the National Assembly. Basiru urged those planning the protests to have faith in President Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to improve the economy and assured that current difficulties would eventually be resolved.  He also called on parents and concerned citizens to monitor their children and wards to prevent them from being used to incite disorder. Additionally, he announced that the party’s chairpersons from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been summoned for an emergency meeting to further discuss the matter.

Hardship: Why protest may get out of hand – Ndume

Former Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, has urged President Bola Tinubu to listen to Nigerians youths ahead of the planned nationwide protest. Ndume warned Tinubu that the planned protest might get out of hand, hence he should listen to the youths. Speaking on Channels Television on Monday, the Borno South Senator said the planned protest might get out of hand because there is no identified leader. According to Ndume: “My fear is, looking at what happened during the EndSARS. I hope it does not get out of hand, especially when you cannot identify the leadership, that makes it more difficult. “I second the motion of the NLC president that Tinubu should listen to Nigerians. The president should talk to the youth.” Popular activist, Omoyele Sowore had called for a nationwide protest against the Nigerian government in August due to the hardship in the country. This is coming when Ndume had accused Tinubu of shutting his doors against his Ministers and lawmakers over the hardship in the country. In October 2020, young Nigerians took to the streets to protest against the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The protests took another turn after soldiers shot at demonstrators at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos.

They Want To Burn The Country Down – Presidency Raises Fresh Alarm over Alleged Plots

By Doris Isreal Ijeoma The Nigerian Presidency has raised a fresh alarm over alleged plots to destabilize the country, warning of “forces of evil” bent on causing chaos and destruction. In a statement on social media, Dada Olusegun, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, accused those behind the plots of spreading falsehoods and attempting to discredit government officials. Olusegun cited the example of Governor Zulum’s son, who was falsely accused of murder, and later criticized for his English fluency when he denied the allegations. “They want to burn the country down,” Olusegun warned. “Our fiduciary responsibility is to stop them!” This latest alarm follows a previous warning by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, who alleged that supporters of Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, are behind planned protests across the country. Onanuga claimed that the same individuals who instigated the destructive ENDSARS protest in 2020 are now planning to stage nationwide protests under the guise of “EndBadGovernance” and “Tinubu Must Go”. The Presidency has described the protesters as “anarchists” and “bad losers” who cannot wait for the next election in 2027. Onanuga warned that their actions amount to high treason and called on security agents to interrogate those involved. Politics Nigeria reports that a 10-day protest is planned to begin on August 1st, with Nigerians expected to take to the streets to demand better living conditions and an end to economic hardship

Police condemned for restricting peaceful NASU, SSANU protest in Abuja

By Doris Isreal Ijeoma The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticized the Nigeria Police Force for restricting a peaceful protest by non-teaching staff unions in Nigerian universities. Benson Upah, NLC’s head of information, made the statement on Thursday in Abuja. The protesting unions include the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU). The police had prevented these unions from proceeding with their planned street protest in Abuja, aimed at addressing their four months of unpaid salaries and other related issues. The protesters had gathered at the Unity Fountain with plans to march to the ministries of education and labour and employment to submit their letters to the ministers. However, they were restricted to the Unity Fountain. FCT Commissioner of Police Beneth Igwe had informed the union members that the protest was confined to the Unity Fountain for security reasons. Upah noted that the peaceful protest by NASU and SSANU was a last resort after all other avenues to secure their salaries had been exhausted, especially since workers from other unions had already been paid for the same strike action. He argued that the police’s actions breach the 1999 Constitution (as amended), ILO Conventions 87 and 98, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantee freedom of association and speech. ”It is a violation of the Supreme Court ruling that citizens do not need the permit or approval of the police to peacefully protest and an insult to the dignity of self-respecting and law-abiding citizens. “In light of this, we demand an immediate police apology to NASU and SSANU members whom they violated. “We also demand the immediate payment of the withheld salaries. “We had had cause to write to government as well as issued a press statement on this matter in the recent past. “Government will be courting a major national industrial protest if it continues to ignore our wise counsel,” he said.

Lagos Commuters Stranded As Commercial Drivers Protest Extortion by LASTMA, Others

Lagos Commuters Stranded As Commercial Drivers Protest Extortion by Govt Agencies

Thousands of commuters faced major disruptions on Monday in Lagos as commercial drivers initiated a protest against alleged extortion by government agencies.  The drivers, pointing fingers at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other entities, claimed unfair treatment during their daily operations. The state police command convened a meeting with key stakeholders, including representatives from the police command, executives of the Lagos State Government, LASTMA, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in response. The discussions delved into the grievances raised by the drivers. After the meeting, the stakeholders reached a mutual agreement to work together in ensuring transporters comply with traffic laws and to address reported excesses of law enforcement officers within the state.  The NURTW committed to organizing a broader meeting on Monday, November 13, 2023. Prominent figures present at the meeting included Deputy Commissioners of Police Waheed Ayilara (SCID), Fatai Tijani (Operations), Khan Salihu (Administration), Commander Rapid Response Squad (RRS) – CSP Yinka Egbeyemi, Commander Taskforce – CSP Shola Jejeloye. Other attendees comprised Honourable Sola Giwa, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Bolaji Oreagba – General Manager, LASTMA, and representatives of NURTW Lagos chapter led by Alhaji Sulyman Ojora (Kudeti).  The state police command assured the public of adequate security measures and encouraged them to carry out their lawful duties without fear of harassment or intimidation.