In a decisive move to address the forthcoming #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest scheduled for August 1, President Bola Tinubu convened a high-profile closed-door meeting at the State House in Abuja.
The urgent summit, held on Thursday, brought together top traditional rulers, key security officials, and governors from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The meeting was spearheaded by Hope Uzodinma, Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, alongside other APC governors.
Prominent traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Saad Abubakar III, were also in attendance, underscoring the importance of the gathering.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun were among the key security officials present.
They were joined by various ministers and members of the President’s cabinet, reflecting a comprehensive approach to addressing the anticipated protest.
Adding to the gravity of the meeting, a group of esteemed Islamic scholars (Ulamas) later joined the discussions, providing a broad spectrum of perspectives on maintaining peace and order.
Earlier in the day, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, issued a stern warning during a press briefing in Abuja. He cautioned that the military would not allow anarchy to unfold in Nigeria, drawing parallels to the recent violent demonstrations in Kenya.
General Buba stressed that while the right to peaceful protest is recognized, any shift towards violence would be met with firm military intervention to uphold law and order.
The primary aim of the meeting was to devise strategies to ensure the forthcoming protest remains peaceful and to prevent any escalation into violence.
Discussions likely centered on coordinated efforts between traditional rulers, security agencies, and government officials to address the grievances of the protestors while maintaining national stability.
President Tinubu’s engagement with such a diverse group of leaders signifies the administration’s commitment to addressing the concerns raised by the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria movement.
The involvement of traditional and religious leaders is particularly crucial, given their influence and ability to foster dialogue and peace within their communities.
