• A fraction of Nigerians are mobilizing a nationwide protest under the hashtag #revolution2024 
• Bayo Onanuga has said the call for revolution is a call for coup d’etat 
• TheRadar compiles reactions from other statesmen regarding the upcoming August 1 protest

In response to the increasing economic difficulties, some Nigerians are mobilizing for a nationwide protest on August 1 under the hashtag #endbadgovernance #tinubumustgo #revolution2024 to voice their grievances and demand relief from the economic hardship.

Subsequently, reactions have unfolded as a number of people who opposed the proposed protests publicly addressed the issue. 

Statesmen react to the nationwide protest

TheRadar has compiled the reactions from some statesmen who are opposing the movement below:

Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris

The President, through the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris has called on Nigerians to shelve the proposed nationwide protest. 

The Minister of Information conveyed the message, stating, “The issue of the planned protest, Mr President does not see any need for that. He’s asked them to shelve that plan. He’s asked them to await the government’s response to all their pleas”.

He further said, “Mr President said he listens to them and takes what they say seriously, and he is working assiduously to ensure that this country is good not just for today but also for the future. The issue of the planned protest, Mr President does not see any need for that, he asked them to shelve that plan, and he has asked them to await the government’s response to all their pleas; he has listened to them”.

He added, “The young people out there should listen to the President and allow the President more time to see to the realization of all the goodies he has for them”.

Special adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanugo

The special adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanugo said the call for revolution is a call for coup d’etat in a lengthy post that he tweeted on Saturday, July 20. The tweet partly reads, “If they understand the meaning of their hashtags, they will realise they are clarion calls for treason. Wanting to end an elected government is high treason. Wanting revolution is a call for a coup d’etat, which is also high treason”.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero 

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero said, “As the date for the widely reported national protest looms, the Nigeria Labour Congress urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invite the leadership of the protest movement for discussions on their grievances”.

“The truth is that millions of Nigerians are angry about the state of the national economy. A situation where most Nigerian families are forced to eat one miserable meal a day and eating from the dustbin beckons for serious intervention by the government,”  he added. 

IGP Kayode Egbetokun

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said, “Before concluding this address, it is important I address an issue of urgent national importance which appears to have gained some momentum, particularly on social media, in the past few weeks. Some groups of people, self-appointed crusaders and influencers, have been strategising and mobilizing potential protesters to unleash terror in the land under the guise of replicating the recent Kenya protests.”

He further said, “While the force acknowledges the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in our constitution, we must ensure that these protests do not snowball into violence or disorder. As a nation, we have had more than our fair share of violent protests, with rather dastardly consequences. The last #EndSars protest led to one-tenth destruction of public assets, including police stations, courts, and transport infrastructure, and the loss of several lives”.

“We have mapped out plans to ensure that no individual or group succeeds in fostering a reign of terror and anarchy on other law-abiding and dissolving Nigerians. Consequently, I want to seize this opportunity to sound the note of serious warning to hoodlums who may want to take laws into their own hands in the name of protests. Do not worry,” he added. 

FCT Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh

The Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, stated, “I want to appeal specifically to the residents and indigenes and everybody that is in FCT. Please, lions do not destroy their dens. You cannot see a lion that destroys its den, no. I would not like you to join this protest. I plead with you because we have suffered to ensure your safety”.

The Civil Society Organisations Chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf

The Chairman of the Gombe Network of Civil Society Organisations, Ibrahim Yusuf mentioned that they are not part of the protest. This was conveyed in a statement, where he said, “We are not part of the protest. The truth is, there are things we need to acknowledge and confront. The majority of the messages I receive are requests for assistance because people are struggling with hunger and anger”.

Former Minister of Sports and Youth Development Sunday Dare

The ex-minister said, “We must see that there is a conflicting agenda for the planned nationwide anti-government protest, and that’s problematic. The right to protest exists, but you can’t just erase the experience of #Endsars”.

“Nobody is trying to deprive anybody of a right to protest, but also, we must see the conflicting agenda for the planned nationwide anti-government protest, and that’s problematic”.

He further said, “Because at the end of it all, we will still end up on the table to have a crucial conversation. Such crucial conversation cannot take place on the street”.

“Even if the protest is peaceful, you don’t negotiate on the street. The reforms by President Tinubu’s government are on track,” he added.

ACF national chairman, Mamman Osuman

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) national chairman, Mamman Osuman urged the northern youths to avoid the protests in his address which states, “avoid the protests and focus instead on addressing the region’s security challenges and promoting development”.

“We must take a hard look at ourselves, tell ourselves some home truths, and move together to fashion a common strategy to address our developmental challenges and confront the criminals making life unbearable for our people,” Sani added.

Miyetti Allah 

The national president and national secretary of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello-Bodejo, and Engr. Saleh Alhassan addresses the issue, with Bello-Bodejo saying, “Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore unequivocally and strongly asserts that we do not support the planned protests and our members will not be participating”.

Bello-Bodejo further said, “Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore unequivocally and strongly asserts that we do not support the planned protests and our members will not be participating”.

Governor of Jigawa, Umar Namadi

The Governor in a statement while addressing the issues said the people should repent and turn to God. The statement reads, “The protest alone will not provide the solutions; people should turn to God, repent, seek for forgiveness and divine intervention on the challenges”.

“Is hunger a new thing?” See list of clerics who have asked Nigerians not to protest and why

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Nigerian clerics urge citizens to avoid protests, advocating for patience and prayer instead amidst rising food inflation and poverty.

According to the report, Nigerians are advised to embark on continuous prayer that divine intervention is the best solution to the country's problems.