August 1: Tinubu moves to avert nationwide protest, engages traditional rulers in Aso Rock

Moves to avert a planned protest over economic hardship being faced by citizens may have prompted a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and traditional rulers from across the country at the State House, Abuja.

The meeting is being held after the President’s meeting with the Progressive Governors’ Forum, PGF, also in the villa.

The monarchs, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III and the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, arrived at the Forecourt of the State House in a single bus which conveyed them for the meeting in the Presidential Villa.

No details could be confirmed before the commencement of the closed-door session, but multiple sources say that the meeting is in connection with the desperate moves by the administration to appease those planning to protest over the prevailing untoward situation in the country.

Recall that ahead of the August 1 hunger protests in Nigeria, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) had initiated consultations and instructed its 104 affiliated youth organisations to remain on standby.

NYCN in a statement said “We recognise the challenges faced by our country and the need for urgent action to address these issues. As we prepare to address the nation, we call on all stakeholders to support our efforts and to work together towards a better Nigeria.”

This is just as a group representing the Rebuild Arewa Initiative for Development (RAID) has warned against plans to stage a protest against President Bola Tinubu, urging those involved to refrain from taking actions that could destabilise the country.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, also joined President Tinubu at the meeting ostensibly to stem the planned protest.

Also seen among those called for the meeting were the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, and the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State.

More details later…