Abuja, July 24 (Reuters) – Nigeria’s government on Wednesday appealed for more time and patience to address economic hardships as citizens mobilize for demonstrations. This plea comes a day after the country’s police chief warned against protests.>>>CONTINUE FULL READING HERE....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
Nigeria is facing 34.2% inflation, the highest in nearly three decades, amid a cost of living crisis exacerbated by President Bola Tinubu’s decision last year to cut a popular petrol subsidy and sharply devalue the naira.
Frustrated citizens have taken to social media to organize protests starting August 1 against bad governance and economic hardship. Authorities fear the protests may turn violent.
Following a meeting between cabinet ministers and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to discuss the impending protests, Information Minister Mohammed Idris addressed reporters, emphasizing that demonstrations are unnecessary.
“The president is listening and he has a message to Nigerians: we must all calm down, cooperate, and give the government more time. All their pleas will be answered,” Idris said.
The planned protests, dubbed “End Bad Governance in Nigeria,” demand free education, an end to insecurity, a state of emergency on inflation, and transparency regarding lawmakers’ pay, among other issues.
Idris acknowledged the concerns of those organizing the protests, stating, “Those agitating for protests are our brothers and sisters. This is a Nigerian family issue, and we are all looking at it very closely. We hope that peace will prevail in the end.”
Nigeria’s largest labor union, which recently agreed on a new minimum wage with the government, has urged President Tinubu to meet with protest leaders to discuss their demands.>>>CONTINUE FULL READING HERE
