Palpable tension has gripped the Aso Rock Villa as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, convenes an emergency meeting with over 40 ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. The meeting, held behind closed doors, aims to address the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship scheduled for August 1.
– *Ministers in Attendance*: Some of the ministers spotted at the meeting include ¹:
– Nyesom Wike (FCT)
– Yusuf Tuggar (Foreign Affairs)
– Zephaniah Jisalo (Special Duties)
– Tahir Mamman (Education)
– Abubakar Bagudu (Budget and Planning)
– Wale Edun (Finance)
– Mohammed Idris (Information)
– Bello Matawalle (Defence)
– David Umahi (Works)
– National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu
– *Planned Protest*: The protest, organized by unknown individuals, has gained traction on social media and is scheduled to hold across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja ¹. President Tinubu earlier pleaded with Nigerians to shelve the protest, promising to address their grievances ¹.
– *Government’s Stance*: The government has described the planned protest as “ill-advised” and “treasonable” ¹. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, warned that the police will not allow violent protests, while the Labour Party refuted allegations of being behind the planned protests ¹.
