Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu is currently presiding over a security council meeting as protests continue nationwide, defying his call over the weekend to suspend further actions and engage in dialogue.
The meeting, convened under the auspices of the National Security Council, comes after the Federal Executive Council, FEC, has been rescheduled.
The meeting is expected to address the concerns of the citizens .
Hundreds of Nigerians have hit the streets in continuation of the ongoing nationwide protest against hunger and to end bad governance.
The demonstrations have escalated into looting and destruction in some areas including Kaduna State.
In his speech on Sunday, President Tinubu underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to maintaining public order and safeguarding the lives and property of all citizens. He issued a stern warning that threats and ethnic bigotry will not be tolerated.
Acknowledging the turmoil and loss of lives resulting from the violent protests, he called for an end to the protest. Attendees of the meeting held in the president’s office include the service chiefs, Chief of Defense Staff, the Inspector General of Police, and other key security officials.
Organisers of the nationwide protest against hardship include: former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, and human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN.
In response to the President’s speech on Sunday, the protestors have expressed their dissatisfaction against Bola Tinubu’s address.
The protesters have made a 15-point demand if they were to call off the protests.
They also described the President’s broadcast to the nation as a disaster and disappointing.
Some social media users also believe the best thing for the President to do is to address the concerns of the citizens, not to convey a meeting.
“Did president tinubu dialogue with it’s citizens before removing the fuel subsidy that was never there? Why reaching to dialogue now when he can easily just announced what the citizens of Nigeria wants to hear and let there be peace.” One user said.
“The time spent on convening your security chiefs, you should use it wisely to address the real issues of the protest. Listening is an art that requires attention over talent, spirit over ego, others over self. A word to the WISE is enough” Another one said.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
