The rising inflation and soaring food prices have led to calls for a nationwide protest in Nigeria across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Despite the recent efforts by the government, the organizers of the protests are determined to go ahead with the demonstrations, scheduled for August 1-10 under the banner ‘Sóró Sókè’ (Yoruba for ‘speak out’).
The federal government has announced that it has dispatched 740 trucks of rice across Nigeria. Each state is set to receive 20 trucks containing 1,200 bags of 25kg of rice. However, protest organizers argue that this is insufficient to address their grievances. They are demanding action on 10 key policies that they believe are worsening the country’s hardships.
Controversial Islamic scholar, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, has urged Nigerians to protest, emphasizing the need for peaceful demonstrations to demand good governance and development. Gumi recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari led protests against the previous government, highlighting the inconsistency in the current administration’s stance on protests.
Nigerian lawmakers, particularly those in the Senate, have expressed fear of potential attacks from angry citizens. Last week, during a plenary session, senators debated a motion on the urgent need to address food insecurity and market exploitation of consumables. Senator Sunday Karimi Steve, representing Kogi West, and Senator Ali Ndume Mohammed, representing Borno South, co-sponsored the motion.
Former Senate President Ahmed Lawan warned that Nigerians’ patience is wearing thin due to increased prices and lack of effective measures. He stressed the need for immediate action to prevent widespread unrest. “We must take every possible action to ensure food security and meet our constituents’ needs,” Lawan said.
The protesters’ demands include ending the fuel subsidy scam, reducing fuel prices to below N300 per liter, restoring tertiary education fees, and reducing electricity tariffs. They also call for public disclosure and reduction of lawmakers’ salaries and allowances, and reforms to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Abdulhamid Yahaya Abba, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North East), has advised youths, particularly in the North East, to avoid participating in the protests. He urged them to focus on productive ventures and assured them that the government is implementing long-term solutions to address current hardships.
Abba highlighted the importance of subsistence and commercial farming to alleviate economic difficulties. He noted that the Tinubu administration anticipated the short-term impacts of tough decisions but deemed them necessary to address long-standing issues neglected by previous governments for political reasons.
With the farming season underway, Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated the Food Systems Coordination Unit (PFSCU) to enhance food security. Abba stressed the need for youths to remain focused and not be swayed by those seeking unrest for personal gain.
Abba emphasized that immediate relief would come once refineries become fully operational. He praised the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited and efforts like Dangote’s refinery, which are crucial for reducing energy costs and achieving economic stability.
Efforts to improve electricity supply to underserved areas are ongoing, led by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) under the leadership of Abba Abubakar Aliyu. These initiatives aim to boost economic stability and quality of life for Nigerians.
On June 12, civil society groups, including the Take It Back Movement, the Education Rights Campaign, the Coalition for Revolution, and the Socialist Workers League, held protests against rising living costs, insecurity, and other pressing issues. They carried placards with messages such as “President Tinubu, let the poor breathe,” “Pay living wages to all Nigerian workers now,” and “End insecurity.”
As Nigeria braces for the upcoming protests, the government’s response and the outcome of these demonstrations will be crucial in shaping the country’s future. The resolve of the protest organizers and the government’s ability to address the underlying issues will determine the next steps in this unfolding saga.
Source: Sun News
