Tinubu Summons Security Chiefs, Govs, Monarchs Amid Protest Fears

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu holds secret meeting with top brass over planned protests...

President Tinubu holds secret meeting with top officials, traditional rulers, and security chiefs to address looming 'EndBadGovernance' protest in August, aiming to mitigate its impact on national security and governance.

As the 'EndBadGovernance' protest, slated for August, draws near, President Bola Tinubu convened an emergency meeting on Thursday, July 25, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The closed-door gathering brought together esteemed traditional rulers, senior security officials, and governors from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In attendance were top APC governors, led by Hope Uzodinma, who chairs the Progressives Governors' Forum and serves as the Governor of Imo State. The high-level meeting aimed to address the looming protest and its potential implications for national security and governance.

A constellation of prominent traditional rulers attended the meeting with President Tinubu, including the revered Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, and the esteemed Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Saad Abubakar III. Other distinguished traditional leaders from various regions of the country also graced the gathering, lending their collective wisdom and influence to the discussions.

The meeting's attendee list was a veritable who's who of Nigeria's security and political elite, featuring the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and various ministers and cabinet members. Although the precise agenda of the meeting remains under wraps, its timing suggests a strong connection to the forthcoming nationwide protests, slated for August 1-10, 2024, which aim to highlight the country's economic challenges and push for reforms.

In a move to address the looming nationwide protest, the Federal Government convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday. The meeting was prompted by a circular issued on July 23, 2024, by Richard Pheelangwah, Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, under the title “Planned Nationwide Protest.”

The circular served as a call to action, gathering key stakeholders to discuss the potential implications of the protest and develop strategies to mitigate its impact. By holding this emergency meeting, the government aimed to proactively address the grievances driving the protest and ensure a united response to the challenges facing the nation.

It read, “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.”