- Adegboruwa requested that the meeting with the IGP be conducted online to include more stakeholders
- Banks and other financial sector employers expressed concern over the protest and advised workers to stay vigilant
- Ex-national chairman of PDP, Secondus, said the President lacks the moral authority to prevent the planned protest
As the nationwide hunger protest commences August 1, relevant stakeholders have begun taking necessary actions.
Adegboruwa meets with IGP
A pro-democracy Take-It-Back Movement lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN, requested police protection for protesters, which was granted.
However, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, requested to have a meeting with the group’s lawyer on Tuesday, July 30 to further deliberate on the request.
Adegboruwa, who was supposed to meet the IGP in Abuja on Tuesday, July 29, requested that the meeting be broadened and conducted online to include more stakeholders.
He particularly requested that human rights activist Femi Falana, SAN, lead the meeting and that representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), other legal professionals, and civil society organisations (CSOs) be present.
Following the virtual meeting on Tuesday, July 29, Force Headquarters released a statement on the outcome of the meeting.
The statement read, “During the meeting, the IGP emphasized the importance of maintaining public order and safety during the planned protests.
“He acknowledged the group’s right to express their concerns through peaceful protests and reiterated the Police Force’s duty to facilitate such rights within the bounds of the law.
“The IGP has advised the Take-It-Back Movement, who have indicated their interest in protest, to engage with the respective state police commissioners to coordinate and plan the protests in a manner that ensures the safety of participants and the general public. ’He said this is also to pre-empt any security challenges and ensure that the protests proceed peacefully.
“Additionally, the IGP strongly advised against unplanned open and unnecessary processions due to the potential dangers they pose.
“He stressed that organizing and coordinating with the Police and other security agencies are essential steps to mitigate risks, protect the rights of all citizens, and protect the well-being of all involved.
“The Inspector-General of Police, while reiterating that the Force remains dedicated to protecting the rights of all citizens and ensuring that all public gatherings are conducted safely and securely, calls on stakeholders to work together to foster a peaceful and secure environment during the planned protests.”
Financial sector advised workers to stay vigilant
In another development, banks and other financial sector employers advised workers to stay vigilant during their duties. This concern was raised on Tuesday, July 30.
The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) expressed concern over the protest, noting that "a protest without clear leadership is an invitation to chaos.”
Despite concerns, Olusoji Oluwole, President of ASSBIFI, said that the motivation behind the protest was understandable due to the widespread hardship affecting Nigerians.
He said, “It is quite understandable why people are clamouring for this protest. The hardship being experienced is far-reaching. However, a protest without clear leadership is an invitation to chaos.
“While labour is not part of the planned action, we hope it will remain peaceful and not get hijacked by people who seek to cause mayhem.
“Our members, through their various employers, are being sensitized to be cautious and situationally aware before embarking on any activity.
“We also expect the security agencies to responsibly provide adequate security that will guarantee law and order.”
Tinubu lacks moral authority to stop protests - Secondus
Reacting to the situation, Uche Secondus, ex-national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said that the President, Tinubu lacks the moral authority to prevent the planned protest.
Secondus, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media), Ike Abonyi, in Abuja on Tuesday, July 30, recalled Tinubu's significant role in anti-government protests during his opposition days and questioned why he should be selfish about it now.
He pointed out that citizens are obligated to save the nation from collapse in the face of an unprecedented economic crisis and insecurity brought about by the continual bad governance of successive administrations.
He said, “This protest should not be discouraged. Protests remain the most potent democratic platform through which the consciousness of nations can be aroused and, indeed, the consciousness of the leadership elite can be nudged and compelled to act right in the interest of citizens.”
“N100k is new N10k”: Adeyanju supports protests, says naira is almost worthless due to bad policies
Meanwhile, TheRadar previously reported that Deji Adeyanju, a human rights activist and convener of Concerned Nigerians, criticised those opposing the planned nationwide protest, asserting that the devaluation of the Nigerian currency is sufficient grounds for protest.
Adeyanju highlighted the severe impact of the government's fiscal policies on the nation’s economy, emphasising the present worthlessness of Nigeria’s currency.