By Afolabi Samuel Odunayo
The federal government is set to hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to address the grievances of Nigerians against a nationwide protest that is set for August 1, 2024.
This information came after a circular titled, ‘Planned Nationwide Protest,’ was signed on July 23, 2024 and shared by the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, Richard Pheelangwah.
“I am directed to invite you to attend a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the above subject slated as follows: July 24, 2024, Time: 10 am prompt, Venue: Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Conference Room,” it read.
Also, during a Tuesday discussion with state house correspondents, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation had encouraged a stop be put to the proposed protest.
Idris stated that Tinubu’s administration required additional time to carry out projects that prioritise people.
“On 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,” the minister said.
Despite the N70,000 minimum wage’s recent ratification and its Tuesday’s passage by the Nigerian Senate, Nigerians had insisted on going ahead with the protest.
The protest is coming amid a rising food inflation of up to 40.87 percent and core inflation of up to 34.19 percent in the country, respectively.
