Security forces have put their men on red alert to forestall anarchy, which they said is the intention of promoters of the planned protest against economic crisis.
In separate interactions yesterday, the Defence Headquarters and the secret police said categorically that the planned protest is not intended to be peaceful.
The Department of State Services (DSS) said the ultimate objective of those planning a nationwide protest is a change of government at the centre.
Also yesterday, the DHQ said its intelligence revealed that some “unscrupulous elements are bent on hijacking the planned protest for violent purposes.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Aso Villa met with the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors.
He also had a parley with traditional rulers from across the country over the planned protest.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu assured governors of support in managing threats posed by the planned protest.
In Abuja, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike said no protest would be allowed.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) said it would not support any protest by “unknown” organisers.
The Southeast caucus of the House of Representatives urged the Igbo to shun the protest, saying the issues were being addressed.
Some Nigerians have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to mobilise for a protest between August 1 and 10 against what they termed bad governance and poverty in the country.
Those orchestrating this plan have remained faceless without any known leader.
Their action has received widespread condemnation by Nigerians, who see them as anarchists.
DSS alleges plot against govt
DSS Director Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Dr Peter Afunanya, in a statement, said the protest organisers intend to foist a violent outcome to smear the federal and sub-national governments to make them unpopular and pit them against the masses.
The statement reads: “The Department of State Services (DSS) has followed the discourse on planned protests in parts of the country in the coming weeks by persons and groups yet to identify themselves in the public as leaders of the plot.
“While peaceful protest is a democratic right of citizens, the Service has confirmed a sinister plan by some elements to infiltrate the protest and use it to cause chaos and extreme violence in the land.
“It has also identified the reason behind the protest to be political.
“The plotters desire to use the intended violent outcome to smear the federal and sub-national governments, make them unpopular and pit them against the masses.
“The long-term objective is to achieve a regime change, especially at the centre.
“The Service has also identified, among others, the funding lines, sponsors and collaborators of the plot.
“However, it does not think that aggression should be the first line action in the instance, in handling the emerging scenario.
“It has instead, variously applied non-kinetic and conflict resolution strategies, including moral suasion, stakeholder engagement and other multi-track diplomatic shuttles, to dissuade the planners from actualising their undesirable objective.
“Based on the foregoing, the Service wishes to warn all the protest groups to eschew any form of proposed rage, anarchy and spoliation.
“While the different levels of government have routinely explained their agenda to ameliorate alleged harsh economic conditions, the Service urges the prospective protesters to listen to the voice of reason, good conscience and patiently engage with the authorities, in the interest of peace.
“This has become important given that violence begets destruction of lives and property as well as serves as a distraction to governance.
“The agitators are encouraged to use ample ways available to them to channel their grievances without resorting to violence.
“The Service calls on people of goodwill, leaders of thought, captains of industry, labour unions, student associations, youth leaders, the civil society, clergy, NGOs, women groups, civil servants and politicians to shun any invitation to participate in any orchestrated violence, deliberately designed to cause disaffection in the country.
“Similarly, parents, guardians, and heads of traditional and academic institutions are respectively urged to advise their children, wards, subjects and students not to take part in the planned protest.
“Let us all join hands to build a nation without rancour, bitterness or stained banner.
“The Service will work with other sister security and law enforcement agencies to maintain peace.
“It will, where necessary, apply all legitimate methods to achieve this.”
DHQ: we won’t allow anarchy
The DHQ said its intelligence revealed that some “unscrupulous elements are bent on hijacking the planned protest for violent purposes.”
It said their targets include persons who appear well-to-do or comfortable.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Edward Buba, said at a press briefing that places of worship, businesses, markets, persons of other ethnic groups and members of opposing political parties are also targets.
It said: “There are essentially several factors to be thoroughly examined, some of which are whether or not the planned protest is motivated by opposition politics, independent parties, sovereign interference, terrorist groups or any numbers of organisations that have fed on the frustrations of Nigerians to create the situation.
“For us, the constitution is clear as to how and when the military gets involved. The constitution also clearly defines the roles and functions of the Armed Forces.
“On the other hand, while citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful protest, they do not have a right to mobilise for anarchy to unleash terror.
“The contemporary context of the planned protest is to shadow happenings in Kenya which has so far been violent and unresolved to date.
“Given the situation, there are already indicators that unscrupulous elements are bent on hijacking the planned protest for violent purposes.
“For instance, there are signs of status-related violence such that persons with things as basic as a smartphone and car are targets.
“This does not leave out those who own a house, shop, or even use air conditioners in their houses.
“Other targets include places of worship, businesses, markets, persons of other ethnic groups and members of opposing political parties among others.
“Based on the foregoing, the level of violence envisaged is best described as a state of anarchy.
“It is for this reason the Armed Forces will not watch and allow the nation to spiral out of control to such low levels.
“The military has been exposed to wars and has witnessed situations of anarchy in countries ravaged by war, particularly during ECOMOG or during peacekeeping operations.
“It is for this reason that troops will act dutifully to forestall such ugly occurrences from happening in our nation.”
The military high command said it has put troops on red alert and vowed to resist an attempt at anarchy.
“It is therefore incumbent upon us all to quench the fires of violence rather than ignite them.
“It is time to let cool heads prevail for the government to further remedy the situation and make our nation flourish again,” the DHQ said.
NSA assures governors of security
Also yesterday, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) said it received the NSA’s assurance of adequate security in states.
In a communique issued after its meeting on Wednesday night, the governors said they “received a briefing from the NSA’s office on the current security situation in the country”.
“The NSA noted the growing momentum for a planned protest demanding government attention.
“The NSA is committed to supporting the governors in improving security architecture at the subnational level.
“The governors thanked the NSA and reinstated its commitment to enhancing the security of lives and properties at the sub-national,” the communique signed by NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, stated.
Protest won’t be allowed in FCT, says Wike
Wike, who briefed reporters after an emergency security meeting, said Abuja was not available for protests.
He added that August 1 has been set aside to present certificates of recognition to traditional rulers of the six FCT area councils.
Wike said: “That is the day FCT has set aside for the entire area councils to jubilate, to give out certificates of recognition for their traditional rulers.
“We will not allow that day that FCT has set aside to honour their traditional rulers; for their people to rejoice, and then somebody will come and disrupt that day. We will not allow it.
“We want people to come out and celebrate, as part of the achievement of the current administration.
“That day is not available for those who want to protest and FCT is not available for the protesters.”
He said the security council was aware of the protest threat and what some people may call “end bad governance.
Acknowledging the right to protest, Wike said it must be done within the ambit of the law.
The minister said: “This period, we think that all Nigerians should work collectively to salvage our country.
“I am aware that there are challenges, but President Bola Tinubu and his team are working right now to ensure that these challenges, these problems facing our country are addressed.
“We know that it is a very difficult period for citizens; Tinubu has come out clearly to say that there are challenges; there are problems, but these challenges and problems will be tackled.”
The minister expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s capacity to address the challenges and urged all Nigerians to be patient.
He said: “For instance, we have seen the changes in FCT; we have seen that the government is working.
“Tinubu is giving FCT so much support that all of us can attest to the fact that there are a lot of changes going on in FCT.
“Therefore, we will not allow anybody to set us back. We are looking forward to making sure that we take FCT to where it is supposed to be as one of the major cities, not only in Africa but in the world.
“So, we will not allow anybody to disrupt peace and set us back. For those who want to protest on Aug 1, or thereabout, FCT is not available for such protest.”
Wike earlier met residents and advised them to shun the protest.
TUC not involved, says Osifo
TUC president Festus Osifo, at a briefing in Abuja, urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to ensure the protest is not hijacked by hoodlums.
Osifo said it was the constitutional responsibility of security agents to effectively secure peaceful protesters.
He said: “When you are having a protest, you need to sit down, have conversation, have meetings. As of today, nobody has reached out to us that they want to protest.
“Nobody has asked for our collaboration, so how do you expect us to participate in a protest when we don’t know who is organising it?
“We don’t even have any idea whatsoever what is going to happen. We don’t know who is organising it; we don’t know who is protesting.
“All we know is that the Constitution is very clear on protest and the Police Act also mandates the police to ensure there is law and order during protests.
“Those provisions should be respected.”
Shelve planned protest for sake of economy , Kalu tells youths
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatisation, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, called on the youths to shelve the planned protest in the interest of the economy.
He said though It is within the rights of every Nigerian to protest, embarking on such now will have huge effects on the country.
Kalu, a former governor of Abia state and immediate past Chief Whip of the Senate said: “While embarking on national protest may be beneficial to our democracy, it is not expedient to our economy.
“I am appealing to our youths to consider suspending the planned August protest to save possible damage and liabilities on the country’s infrastructure and private businesses”.
Southeast caucus to Ndigbo: shun protest
The Southeast caucus of the House of Representatives asked Ndigbo to shun the protest.
It believes the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) Establishment Act, when implemented, will address some of the region’s challenges.
The lawmakers thanked the President for assenting to the Bill.
Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, reiterated his call on Nigerians not to participate in the planned nationwide protest.
He stressed that the SEDC Act is a testament to the President’s resolve to heal the wounds of the past and address marginalisation concerns. (The Nation)
