With just three days to go until the planned nationwide protests in Nigeria on August 1, the country remains divided over the choice of demonstration to express their dissatisfaction with the government. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has requested that all groups planning the protest register and provide necessary information at their respective state police commands before proceeding with the protest. The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has appealed to the protest organizers to reconsider their decision and prioritize maintaining the fragile peace in the country. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has urged Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he addresses the numerous challenges facing the country. Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has also called on Nigerian youth not to allow themselves to be used by a movement allegedly sponsored by politicians. The planned protest has garnered support from the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the previous general election, Peter Obi. However, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have advised Christians and students in Niger State to refrain from participating in the protest against the high cost of living and hunger in the country. The organized civil society has expressed concern over the blame game and blackmail tactics employed by President Tinubu's handlers and aides to dissuade Nigerians from participating in the impending protest. The national leadership of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused the parent body of insensitivity and opportunism for using the proposed protest as a means to gain public attention after conducting a flawed election in violation of the guidelines set by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria. [4cef1a15]
The ongoing protest along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway is marred by violence and criminal activities, with looting and vandalism taking place. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu argues that the protest is not following the principles and guidelines of a responsible protest. He questions whether the protesters have adhered to international laws guiding protests and argues that the protest has turned into a carnival of anger and frustration. Kalu believes that dialogue and mediation would have been a better approach to address the issues of bad governance. He highlights the economic challenges faced by Nigeria, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and calls for diversification, infrastructure development, entrepreneurship support, good governance, human capital development, trade and regional integration, fiscal discipline, monetary policy reforms, agricultural development, and the use of innovative technologies to overcome these challenges. Kalu urges the protesters to call off the protest to prevent further destruction of properties and lives. [15115806]
In a new development, Nigeria has arrested seven Polish nationals for raising Russian flags during anti-government protests in the northern state of Kano [a102fd31]. The protests began on August 1 against President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms. Some protesters waved Russian flags, raising concerns about increased Russian activity in western Africa. The Polish nationals were detained during security operations by the Department of State Services. The Polish consul to Nigeria confirmed the arrests. Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff called the brandishing of a foreign flag during protests a 'treasonable offence'. The Russian embassy in Nigeria denied any involvement.
The arrest of the Polish nationals adds a new dimension to the ongoing protests in Nigeria, highlighting concerns about foreign interference and the potential geopolitical implications of the demonstrations. It remains to be seen how this development will impact the trajectory of the protests and the government's response. [a102fd31]