Ahead of the planned nationwide protest against the economic hardship in the country, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has disclosed that the Police have intelligence reports showing that foreign mercenaries have been recruited to hijack the protest and cause damage in the country.
Speaking in Abuja, he urged Nigerians to be wise, exercise caution and think twice before joining any protest group at this point in time so as to prevent drawing the nation back.
“We have been monitoring developments surrounding protest threats. While some groups call for violent protests, emulating Kenya’s recent events, others advocate for peaceful demonstrators.
“However, some individuals are promoting peaceful protests with violent undertones, raising concerns about their sincerity.
“We have our history of violent protests in Nigeria, and I don’t believe we have to look to other countries to note the dangers of unchecked demonstrations.
“We commend patriots who have withdrawn from the protest due to the apparent sinister motives and ignorance of those calling for violence.
“We note those who have spoken out against any form of protest at this critical juncture, fearing enemies of our country may be manipulating the process.
“We confirm their fears are genuine, as we have credible intelligence on foreign mercenaries’ involvement in this planned protest. The Nigerian police urge all Nigerians to exercise caution and think twice before joining any protest group.”
Towards ensuring that the protest is peaceful and non-destructive, Egbetokun called on groups involved and planning to participate in the proposed nationwide protest to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.
His words, “We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest. However, in the interest of public safety and order, we urge all groups planning to protest to provide necessary details to the Commissioner of Police in the state where the protest is intended to take place.
“To facilitate a successful and incident-free protest, they should please provide the following information – 1, The proposed protest routes and assembly points. 2. Expected duration of the protest. 3. Names and contact details of protest leaders and organizers and 4. Measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, including key identifiers for possible isolation of potential troublemakers.
“By providing this information, the police will be enabled to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety.
‘5. Designate specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities.
“6. Establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise.
“7. Minimize the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.
“We encourage all protestors to cooperate with the police, obey the law, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly to guarantee a safe and successful exercise of their rights.”
While urging the protesters to cooperate with policemen, Egbetokun said the police would be available to protect them adding, “We have done everything we need to do. We have put measures in place to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in case there is going to be any protest.
“I just gave the guidelines that protest groups, groups who intend to protest, there are guidelines for them to follow. Once they follow this guideline, we are going to have it peaceful. So my appeal to Nigerians is to remain law-abiding.
“Those who insist that they must come out to protest, please cooperate with the police. The police will be there with you and protect you.”
Asked what happens if the groups who are unknown as of today, Friday July 23, 2024 fail to follow the guidelines for the protest, IGP Egbetokun said, “If they fail to comply, with the guidelines, it means they don’t mean well for the country. We will be prepared for them”
“We don’t want the protest to take place because violent protest will result in more violent crimes and insecurity but if there must be protest, follow the guidelines.
Egbetokun recalled past protests including the Endsars protest saying, “We have had a history of violent protests and what follows violent protest is increased violent crimes
“Last one Police Stations were burnt, amouries looted and so on. In areas where these Police stations were burnt down, criminals and armed robbers took over, women could no longer come out once it is 7pm.
“600 brand new BRT buses bought to ameliorate the suffering of the people were burnt down and you say you are protesting on behalf of the masses. We have to be careful not to be misled and destroying our country. Violent protest is going to leave us worse off”
“Once more, we are issuing a stern warning to clandestine groups. We will not tolera
te the killing of any Nigerian in the guise of protest.”
Geometric Power Ltd, Nigeria’s leading electric power integrated group, has described the death yesterday in Abuja of a foremost elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel C. Iwuanyanwu, as unexpected and shocking.
“He was one of our staunchest supporters”, the company said today in a statement quoting its founder and chairman, Professor Bart Nnaji, as saying.
“Iwuanyanwu, 82, and a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), was extremely proud of the work we are doing at Geometric Power Ltd by fellow Nigerian engineers”.
Continued the former Minister of Power who has also been the Minister of Science and Technology:
“Though he planned to attend in person the commissioning last February 26 of the Aba Independent Power Project comprising a 188-megawatt power plant in the Osisioma Industrial Layout of Aba and the Aba Power Electric Company by Vice President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, he couldn’t eventually make it due to an unforeseen development.
“Just before the commissioning, Dr Iwuanyanwu had granted a major interview to a team of journalists where he spoke eloquently, persuasively and passionately on the project's significance”.
It is understood that Iwuanyanwu had in the interview pledged to consult the Geometric Power group and the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) that provides power to the five Southeastern states with a view to working out an arrangement on how to make the area attain constant, reliable and affordable electricity.
“Though he was the president general of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Iwuanyanwu did not possess a tunnel vision, but rather a national one”, Nnaji declared, adding that the Champion newspaper publisher, a knight of the Anglican Church, had no difficulty giving his daughter to the famous Muslim Aritsekola family of Ibadan in Oyo State because of his broad-mindedness.
Professor Nnaji recalled that Iwuanyanwu was honoured in all parts of the country like “ the late Chief Moshood Abiola with all kinds of titles for his profound contributions to national unity, peace and development, and so justifiably sought to become Nigeria’s president in the Third Republic”.
The former Minister remarked that “Chief Iwuanyanwu excelled in road construction through his Hardel and Enic company, in aviation through his Oriental Airlines, in sports through his Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club which won various prestigious competitions, as well as in publishing through the Champion newspapers.
“We are proud that he also excelled in insurance, public relations, property development, philanthropy, and community development.
“No one should forget that Chief Iwuanyanwu was the chairman of the Imo State Airport Committee that raised funds for building Sam Mbakwe Airport, the first airport in Nigeria’s history built by a state government.
“An appreciative nation honoured him with different high national awards, and Nigeria should continue to honour his memory as a foremost nationalist and developer of the Nigerian nation”.
Political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, on Friday, expressed concern over the state’s anxiety regarding the planned protest scheduled to start on August 1.
He labelled the panic by state officials as troubling, emphasizing that such protests are a normal part of democratic engagement.
Utomi, speaking at the launch of ‘The New Tribe,’ pointed out that during military regimes, protests were a regular occurrence.
He said: “For us to now get all wound up that some unknown people are planning a protest shows that something has gone fundamentally wrong with the nature of the connection between the state and society.”
Utomi highlighted the current state of the nation as dire, citing that the fear of an impending protest has led to unnecessary panic, threats, and misinformation.
He criticized the state’s reaction as a sign of deeper issues within the nation’s governance and societal values.
In his speech, he said: “The state of the motherland is certainly worrisome, so worrisome that notice by some not known people about impending protests have set off panic, threats, bullying and scapegoating resulting in prefabricated falsehoods by agents of the state.
“MAN and the chambers of Commerce are up in arms with the direction of interest rates as monetary authorities struggle to contain inflation with high interest rates and insecurity continues.
“In this season of the unmasking of yesterday’s pretenders and the shrinking of the club of truthsayers and those who truly believe in a just society it is not difficult to tell that the state of the motherland is of grave ill health.
“Surely values shape human progress and values seem to have taken flight from our current landscape and citizens have an obligation to seek restoration.”
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, on Friday, wrote to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to notify him of planned public meetings, rallies, and processions being organised by a non-governmental body, the Take It Back Movement, all its members, and some other patriotic Nigerians and groups.
The human rights activist in a letter dated Friday, July 26, 2024, stated that the planned rallies will commence from Aug. 1 to 10, 2024, or any time thereafter at the Eagle Square in Abuja and other public spaces in the capital cities of all the 36 states and the headquarters of the 774 local government councils.
Adegboruwa while reiterating the role of the police during such rallies and protests, urged the IGP to make available the details of any police officer or police team that will be assigned to cover the said meetings/rallies/processions to harmonise plans and strategies for the same.
The request comes against the background of warnings from security agencies and groups over the planned protest.
On Thursday, the Department of State Services (DSS) cautioned against the demonstrations, saying it had identified the sponsors.
While the DSS agreed on the citizens’ right to protest, it claimed that some elements plan to hijack it.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has said that the recent judgement of the Supreme Court granting financial autonomy to Local Governments is not wasted.
Speaking on claims that the verdict may not have any meaningful impact unless the task of conducting local government elections is transferred to another body, Fagbemi said that such issues would be addressed when they arise.
The AGF urged the various anti-corruption agencies to be up and doing because they are required to oversight the deployment of funds at the Local Government level.
He stated this in Abuja on Friday during an opening session of the validation meeting of the National Anti-corruption Strategy (NACS) Action Plan 2022 – 2026.
Fagbemi warned LG Chairmen that while state governors enjoy autonomy, reverse is the case for them, adding that they would end up going to jail alone if a governor ask them to commit a crime and they accept.
According to him, “I told them that when we get to that bridge, we will cross it. But, one thing that I keep saying is that the governors have immunity, but local government chairmen do not. The councilors don’t have.
“So, it will be very easy to put them where they belong. In any event, we need activities at the Local Government level.
“They are not to be over-sighted by anybody, except by the critical anti-corruption agencies – the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the police and others, when the need arises.
“And, as often as the need arises, we will deal with that aspect.
“So, if a governor asks you to go and commit a crime and you accept, he will not follow you to Kuje or Kirikiri. No, you are on your own.
“So, this is a challenge to the anti-corruption agencies and I know that they are up to the task.”
He argued that it was unnecessary to preach to those who will be at the helm of affairs at the local government level because they are expected to be able to read and write and differentiate right from wrong.
“You don’t have to preach to anybody. Those who would become Chairmen and Counsellors, at least should be able to read and write. They will know that it is a crime to steal and that if you steal, the penalty is there,” he added.
Dr. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa
Group Managing Director
Champion Newspapers
39, Awonoyi Elemo Street,
Ajao Estate
Lagos
CONDOLENCES
It is with great sadness that we received the news yesterday , of the death of your father, frontline businessman , publisher and an esteemed member of our Association, Chief (Dr.) Emmanuel Iwumanyanwu, the Ahaejiagmba Ndigbo.
He was aged 82.
An engineer by training, Chief Iwunyanwu bestrode the business world leaving an indelible mark in aviation, insurance , road construction, sports and newspapering.
His venture into the newpaper business with the emergence of Champion Newspapers on October 1, 1988, changed the dynamics of newspapering in the country.
The paper pioneered colour printing among Nigerian newspapers and was among the first to set the stage for simultaneous printing, as the paper rolled out from presses in Lagos and Owerri, giving readers in the east the experince of reading same news with their Lagos/western counterparts.
Chief Iwuanyanwu was a sports enthusiast and for a very long time, his football club Iwuanyanwu Nationale, rode the crest of competitive football locally and challenged for thropies on the continent.
A collosus of no mean repute, his passage has created a deep void in the nation's socio-development landscape.
We are consoled by the enviable legacies he left as a solid politician, frontline businessman and a patriot .
On behalf of the Executive Council of our esteemed Association, we commiserate with you and your entire family .
We pray that the Almighty God, will console and uphold each and everyone of you
Once again, our condolences.
Signed
Kabiru A. Yusuf
President
A former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, has lamented the newfound love between judges and politicians, saying it is destroying democratic legitimacy in Nigeria.
The law professor said politicians and governors, having realised that the votes of the masses don’t count, have decided to court judges by frequently donating Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to the judicial officers to win electoral cases.
Odinkalu was a guest on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television on Friday.
According to him, politicians tell their contenders to approach the courts after a contentious electoral process, and “the courts rule that they have won, democracy has won. So, judges are being used to destroy the system”.
He said, “In this economy, you buy a V6 or a V8? It’s beyond idiotic and it is aggravating. They (governors) have bought four-wheel drive for senators and members of the House of Representatives. State governors have bought four-wheel drive for their state legislators. They are donating four-wheel drive to the judiciary all over the country.
“We have this outbreak of acquisitive-ness, an epidemic of crass acquisitiveness that is ridiculous. Why do they do all of these? It’s procurement. When they do that, they take more money into their pockets than they actually give away. It’s an excuse to acquire.”
The human rights activist lamented that governors continue to donate expensive vehicles to their cronies when there are no equipped hospitals and standard schools in their domains.
“There are no hospitals, there are no schools, there are no roads. And so we have to buy private healthcare overseas. We have to send our children to private schools overseas. We have private helipads and now we have private jets and private airstrips. We have private security also. That is the problem,” he said.
‘True Reforms Must Start With INEC, Judiciary’
Odinkalu said true democratic reforms must start with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary and anti-corruption agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
“This is why I have settled for INEC and the judiciary. That is where it begins,” he said.
“They have sworn in new judges of the high courts and new justices of the Appeal Court. Did you see the number of state governors who were there? The number of senior politicians who were there?
“Politicians hosting receptions for judges and the judges going because the politicians know that our votes don’t count; what counts is the votes of judges and they are deliberating courting the judges.
“This judicial walkaround on processes of legitimacy has essentially destroyed democratic legitimacy and popular legitimacy in the people as a foundation of democracy. People are wondering why we are not getting the dividends of democracy when our votes don’t matter.”
“There are institutions we cannot afford to go bad. And I count three among those. In no particular order, INEC, the judiciary, and anti-corruption agencies. And that’s why I go hard on them in my private and public intellectual life. I go hard on them because these are the sentinels on the door of the people who will inflict destitution on the country or secure the country. And if we don’t make these institutions work, it is going to be impossible to save the country,” Odinkalu added.
Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Dele Momodu, has advised President Bola Tinubu against taking the reputation of a dictator by fighting citizens’ right to protest.
Dele Momodu‘s advice followed statements from Nigeria’s security agencies, including Department of Security Services (DSS), Nigeria Police, Nigeria Army and Defence Headquarters against citizens’ planned hunger protest.
Momodu reminded President Tinubu that he engaged in several protests before becoming president against policies of governments.
In a statement on Friday, on his X handle, the publisher of Ovation Magazine said, “As I write this, my mind goes back to my earliest recollection of you as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As a young journalist, you were everyone’s delight. The June 12 Presidential election annulment brought out the best in you as a pro-democracy figure.
“You spent money and time fighting the military. Our exile years were lived in constant fear and trepidation.”
The PDP chieftain told Tinubu that since he became President things have been hard for citizens because of his economic policies.
He said the President failed to realize the country was more complicated than Lagos State.
He continued, “Unfortunately, things have not been easy for Nigerians (except members of the privilegentsia) since you realized your lifelong ambition. And let me be frank sir. You caused it all. You did not realize that a country is much more complicated than a state.
“I’m sad and embarrassed that a fighter for democracy is now saying Nigerians will not be allowed to congregate and demonstrate on the streets, something you and I enjoyed during the military regimes, at home and abroad.
“I will never support anarchy, after engaging in peace initiatives in Sierra Leone, Liberia and The Gambia. But I’m reasonably assured that any potential threat can be contained and nipped in the bud, since our secret service claims to have discovered the sponsors of mayhem. Such people should be arrested speedily.
Dele Momodu further advised President Tinubu to go back to his friends who fought for democracy alongside him for sincere truth.
He told Tinubu to use the opportunity of the planned protest to test the strength of Nigeria’s security agencies.
“Please Sir, go back to your original friends in civil liberties and seek their assistance. Then, use this opportunity to test the strength, security architecture and combat readiness of our security agencies. Ignore the advice of the hawks in your team. They have nothing to lose since they are mostly beneficiaries of what others died for. Resist the temptations of full blown dictatorship,” he said.
The Take-It-Back Movement, a civil society organization, has claimed that its bank account with a major bank has been frozen on the orders of the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the group, this action is a direct response to their involvement in the upcoming nationwide protest.
In a statement posted on their X account on Friday, the organization condemned the freeze as an unlawful act.
The group demanded that their account be reinstated within 24 hours or face legal action against the bank.
“It has now come to our attention that @UBAGroup has frozen our account on the instructions of the DSS over our involvement in the forthcoming protest.
“We describe this action as lawless, and demand our account be unfrozen immediately within the next 24hours, without which a legal action will be instituted against @UBAGroup,” the post read.
Former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, commented on the situation, labeling it a conspiracy against the Nigerian populace.
Naija News reports that Nigerians are organizing a nationwide protest from August 1 to August 10, 2024.
The protest, dubbed #EndBadGovernance, aims to address the issues of widespread hunger and inflation in the country.
Recall that the DSS on Thursday issued a stern warning against the planned nationwide protest aimed at addressing the economic hardships in the country.
In a press statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Dr Peter Afunanya, and made available to Vanguard, the DSS disclosed that it had identified the sponsors of the protest.
In a move to stabilize the foreign exchange market and counteract the recent depreciation of the naira, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disbursed $148 million to 29 authorized dealers.
This was disclosed in a statement posted on the apex bank’s website on Friday.
The statement highlighted that the sales were conducted on Monday, July 22, and Tuesday, July 23, 2024, with exchange rates ranging between ₦1470.00/$1 and ₦1510.00/$1.
This intervention follows the CBN’s previous disbursement of $122.67 million to 46 authorized dealers two weeks ago, aimed at promoting market stability and reducing volatility.
Additionally, a week ago, the CBN announced the sale of $20,000 to each Bureau De Change (BDC) operator at the rate of ₦1,450/$1.
Despite these efforts, the naira has continued to depreciate, trading above ₦1,600 against the US dollar at the official market on Thursday.
The continuous decline of the naira has raised concerns among businesses and consumers, with rising import costs and increasing inflationary pressures.
The CBN’s interventions are critical in providing liquidity and restoring confidence in the market during these challenging times.
The statement read, “The Central Bank of Nigeria sold a cumulative sum of US S148,000,000.00 in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange market to authorised dealers on July 22 and 23, 2024.
“The sale of foreign exchange was to 29 authorised dealer banks at an exchange rate of 1470.00/US$1-1510.00/US$1.”
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A former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has dared the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike over the planned nationwide strike.
Recall that Wike had stated that the protest would not hold in Abuja.
He said that August 1 had been set aside for the chairmen of the six Area Councils of the FCT to give out certificates of recognition to their traditional rulers.
The Minister gave the warning while briefing journalists on the outcome of the FCT Security Council meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
Reacting via his X handle on Friday, Sowore stated that the protest would start from Abuja.
He shared a news article of the minister declaring that there would be no protest in the territory, and wrote, “It is starting from and in Abuja!.”
Naija News reports that some Nigerians are mobilising for the nationwide protest slated for August 1 to August 10, 2024.
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has revealed the details of the meeting between traditional rulers and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Recall that Tinubu held an emergency meeting with Traditional Rulers led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III on Thursday.
The meeting was not unconnected to the imminent nationwide protest over the widespread hardship in the country. The protest is slated for August 1-10, 2024, on Thursday.
Speaking after the meeting, the monarch said Tinubu asked Nigerians who are dissatisfied with his administration to express their dissatisfaction at the polls and vote him out in the 2027 presidential election.
Ooni of Ife noted that Tinubu called for dialogue while reiterating his resolve to end the country’s economic hardship.
“The President has said, ‘Any leader that you don’t like, wait (until 2027) and vote him out.’ He is open to dialogue. We know that Nigeria faces many challenges. But are we going to destroy our nation by ourselves? Is that what we are all after?
“It is very difficult to build, but it is the easiest to destroy. We are all stakeholders in this country and are stronger as a nation than individually,” the Ooni of Ife said.
Tinubu had earlier said the sponsors of the protest are enemies of Nigeria, adding that his government is doing everything to address the challenges faced by Nigerians.
He also said Nigeria’s economy is on the path of recovery and gave assurance of better days.
This comes amid rising dissatisfaction among Nigerians on the state of the economy as core and food inflation stood at 34.19 percent and 40.87 percent, respectively.
Wale Edun, the minister of finance, says over 600,000 households have benefited from the direct cash transfer programme of the federal government following the resumption of payments.
Edun spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the half-year review ministerial press briefing, themed, ‘Economic Recovery and Growth: Progress and Prospects 2024’.
On July 18, 2023, President Bola Tinubu ordered an immediate review of the conditional cash transfer scheme — an intervention initiative coordinated by the national social investment programme agency (NSIPA).
The president later suspended all programmes administered by NSIPA for six weeks, as part of a probe of alleged malfeasance in the management of the agency and its programmes.
During a radio interview session in Kaduna, Mohammed Idris, the minister of information and national orientation, disclosed the federal government’s plan to resume the intervention schemes.
Speaking at the press briefing, the minister reiterated Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of ordinary Nigerians and the government’s efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in its social protection initiatives.
“Following the resumption of payments, over 600,000 households have already received this direct transfer this week,” Edun was quoted as saying in a statement by in a statement on by Mohammed Manga, the ministry’s director of information and public relations.
Edun said the government has made significant strides in its economic reforms, “well on its way to achieving a step-change in the revenues of the government; closely in line with the budget for 2024”.
He also announced the government’s exit from the ways and means borrowing mechanism, highlighting successes of the government’s reforms while citing a projected budget deficit of 4 percent in the 2024 fiscal year.
Edun acknowledged the temporary hardships caused by the reforms but assured that Nigerians would soon benefit from the expected outcomes.
He said the government’s “well-coordinated economic policies are beginning to yield results, evidenced by the deceleration in inflation growth, a rise in foreign investments compared to the same period last year”.
The minister said one of the major priorities of the incumbent government in the immediate term is to reduce food prices and focus on providing all the necessary support to increase local food production, given the impact of high food prices on inflation.
He said efforts are underway to achieve this goal.
The minister said with the outcome of the first half of 2024, “the economy is turning the corner.”
Edun added that with macroeconomic stability, the economy is being well positioned for sustained and inclusive growth that creates jobs, lifts millions out of poverty, and drives domestic and foreign investments that would improve the general wellbeing of the average Nigerian.
The Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigeria Police Force has deployed 4,200 policemen in Abuja ahead of the planned nationwide protest.
The spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, in a statement on Friday, disclosed that the deployment was to ensure public safety, protection of protesters and to prevent the protests from being hijacked by non-state actors.
Adeh added that Police operatives deployed include explosive ordinance device experts at various strategic locations.
She added that there would be raids on identified black spots, uncompleted buildings/shanties, and stop and search operations, among others, in collaboration with sister security agencies.