Nigerians have been invited to troop to the streets in their millions from Thursday, August 1, to protest the harsh economic situation following the dramatic rise in the cost of living in the last one year. The protest is slated to last for two weeks. The demands are not very clear yet but the theme is centred on the hunger in the land. In just one year, diesel price doubled, petrol price tripled, official exchange rates tripled and “Band A” electricity tariffs tripled. Prices of foodstuffs and medicines have doubled or tripled or even quadrupled. This is by a distance one of the worst cost of living crises in the history of Nigeria — and, trust me, we have had quite a history in the last four decades.

I suspect that the inspiration for the planned protest came from Kenya, where citizens trooped to the streets to oppose proposed tax rises. Not surprisingly, the mass action became violent and 40 protesters lost their lives, with hundreds injured. Although President William Ruto — who had incredibly proposed to tax bread (who does that?) — beat a retreat and made concessions, protesters have refused to vacate the streets. They are now demanding that he should resign. At this point, he would think his political opponents are behind the protest. Even if they are not the ones instigating it, Ruto wilfully played into their hands. You can’t blame politicians for playing politics.

The jittery reaction from the Nigerian authorities to the impending protest is understandable. Our current leaders were specialists in protests in their previous lives. We shouldn’t expect them to eagerly drink from their own medicine. They know the political implications of mass action. More so, millions of Nigerians need no incentive to protest. If the one kilo of beans they bought at N651 in June 2023 is now N2,290, they don’t have to be PDP members or Obidients to protest. If the medicine they bought at N8,000 is now N35,000, they can hardly resist shouts of “aluta”. And if they have lost their jobs as a result of company shutdowns, “solidarity forever” will be music to their ears.

The reaction of the federal government has been more about a possible political hijack of the protests. Again, can you blame politicians for hijacking genuine agitation? I have lived long enough to witness such things in Nigeria. The founders of APC, the current ruling party, did a great job of instigating protests against PDP administrations in the past — and there is no way we would forget what happened in January 2012 when President Goodluck Jonathan tried to end fuel subsidy but was met with stiff resistance via “Occupy Ojota”, fully supported by opposition parties bent on unseating him. I do not blame either APC or PDP for playing politics. Politicians must necessarily politick.

I would also say President Bola Tinubu has done enough to incur the wrath of those who may want to join or sponsor protests against him. I don’t think we need to go to Harvard to study that. Many Nigerians, including those who didn’t vote for him, were ready to give him a benefit of the doubt when he was inaugurated in May 2023 but he mismanaged the honeymoon in no time — what with the famed 100-vehicle stunt in Lagos ahead of Eid al-Adha and the Dubai jamboree under the guise of COP23. The size of his cabinet at a time of austerity was such a slap on the face for Nigerians. He lost many people in the process. Nobody needs to send them an invitation letter to join the protest.

Politically, many Nigerians whose candidates lost the presidential election are yet to get over what hit them. They have a natural motivation to support the protest. Some have never accepted him as president in any case, so things like this will excite them. To complicate things, Tinubu’s pattern of appointments has clearly and unashamedly favoured his own part of the country, particularly Lagos state, as well as his loyalists. Those elsewhere who supported him one way or the other are thus motivated to work with his enemies to pull him down. It is rational political behaviour. In reality, nobody goes into politics for God’s sake. Self-interest is a major factor. It is the nature of politics.

Where do I stand? Peaceful protests are good for the health of democracy. Social action and citizen engagement are critical to the growth of democracy. Freedom of expression is core to democracy. That is why some of us prefer democracy to military rule any day. The beauty of democracy is not just “one person, one vote” but the voice it gives us after we have exercised our suffrage. Democracy will never grow if all we do is vote and retreat to our cocoons. Democracy is suffering body blows globally, no doubt, but the Nigerian situation is all the more worrisome because of the huge gap between the people and the leaders. “Them bellyful but we hungry” — as Bob Marley once said.

But while I propose that civic engagement must improve significantly, I have my worries. The protest can be hijacked. #EndSARS became #EndBuhari and #EndNigeria as some people sneaked in their own narrow agenda and unprecedented arson was unleashed on Lagos. Two, the duration of a protest can become a problem. I have observed, for decades, that the longer a protest lasts, the higher the possibility of hijack by hoodlums, anarchists, security agencies, and, lately, fifth columnists providing refreshments. Conversely, fatigue can set in when a public protest is going on for too long. We saw this with the sit-at-home action against the annulment of the June 12 election in 1993.

That said, I must now add that while protests and civic engagement are not out of order, they are not going to solve our economic problems. We are in deep trouble. There is no soothing way of putting it. We are literally living on borrowed time. As we say in Pidgin, “water don pass garri”. This problem did not start today, or yesterday, and will not be resolved today or tomorrow. No matter the fantasies we have built in our heads, Nigeria is in a mess. We used to paper over the cracks because we were earning fat petrodollars but we have so overstretched our luck that there is no wriggle room left. We are hopelessly dependent on imports while exporting all but one product: oil. We are in soup.

The current crisis started around 2014 when oil revenue started going down owing to two factors: falling production and falling prices. Call that double whammy. Onshore oil production, where Nigeria owns 55-60 percent of the joint ventures, was taking a hit from militancy, pipeline vandalism, host community restiveness, and theft. The oil companies started weighing their options. To worsen matters, we proposed a petroleum industry law in 2008 that remained comatose in the National Assembly for over a decade. Investors, unsure of what fiscal laws would govern their investments, held back their money. All these factors combined to reduce our production capacity. That is a fact.

It should be a thing of shame that a country that used to produce 2.4 million barrels of oil per day in the 1970s, when our population was about 70 million, is now producing 1.3 million when the population is over 200 million. Do the math. It just shows how unserious we have been all our lives. We managed to hit 2.2 million again less than 20 years ago, but we have been going down since then — and to think this is the source of our livelihood! With production dropping and oil exports retreating, our forex inflows logically went south, but we kept ballooning expenditure with unsustainable subsidies, even pledging future oil output as payment guarantee for urgent imports.

We needed to have made the necessary adjustments long ago, perhaps as far back as 2015, but we kept postponing the evil day. With no significant inflow, we started rationing the forex and printing naira recklessly to sustain our local expenditure, much of which was wasted or stolen. We kept petrol price ridiculously low “to protect the poor” who are now ultimately paying the price, literally. Ways and means that was about N50 billion a decade ago accumulated to over N20 trillion in a few years, further destroying the value of the naira, pumping up inflation and impoverishing the people. The economic crisis was inevitable and there is no easy way out. We are only reaping what we sowed.

Unfortunately, Tinubu did not help matters with the haphazard way he has implanted, or implemented, the reforms. The manner he announced subsidy removal showed clearly that he was going to be an unsympathetic undertaker. Basic things that should have been in place before such a major policy pronouncement — such as the CNG conversion initiative — were missing. While we were at it, we watched helplessly as the naira crashed under a poorly conceived exchange rate policy. For an import-dependent (or “export-deficient” — to be politically correct) country, it was going to be nothing short of Armageddon. “Band A” electricity tariffs were also tripled at one blow.

Public finance was all but dead when Tinubu took over. But he has been too brutal with his surgery-without-anaesthesia. When prices of food and medicines were on the rise last year, Tinubu could have granted tariff waivers to achieve temporary relief. It took him a year to approve. Too little, too late. He could have done far better with his message of sacrifice if he had lived it. Instead, we are talking about buying presidential jets. Sacrifice is obviously for the lesser mortals. In the final analysis, people have a right and reason to protest. It won’t solve the economic problem, obviously, but it could put our insensitive leaders on notice about not always taking Nigerians for granted.

People are hungry. As Marley also put it, “A hungry mob is an angry mob.” That is my fear about public protests. Things can get out of hand. The ideal thing would be for the organisers and the security agencies to work hand in hand to make sure the protest goes in an orderly and civilised way. But things are more likely to be violent. Whichever way things go, however, the government needs to wake up. Times are hard, very hard, and they are not doing enough or acting on time to relieve the pains. Contrary to a widespread opinion, Nigerians are not a difficult people to lead. They just want leaders who feel their pains and do things that show that they care. Is that too much to ask?

AND FOUR OTHER THINGS…

COMMISSIONS GALORE

Last year, President Bola Tinubu ordered “immediate implementation” of the Oronsanye Report “to cut the cost of governance”. The core recommendation was to reduce the number of government agencies — currently estimated at over 700 — through mergers and dissolutions. Well, we just created the North West Development Commission and the South East Development Commission to replicate the patronage and sleaze in the Niger Delta Development Commission and the North East Development Commission. Next stop? North Central Development Commission and South West Development Commission. Every state, every LGA will soon a get development commission. Nigeria!

HOME COMING

If they explained Edo state politics to you and you understood, then it was not well explained. I actually adapted that from a saying about Nigeria. Comrade Philip Shaibu, the impeached deputy governor, has left the PDP for the APC where he was until 2020 when he and Governor Godwin Obaseki fell out with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Their opponent in 2016, Pastor Ize Iyamu, left PDP for APC to run for governorship in 2020. They traded places. On his return to APC last week, Shaibu knelt before Oshiomhole, whom he had publicly savaged in 2020. Once upon a time, I used to take sides with politicians. I learnt my lesson 20 years ago. All I do now is enjoy the show. Netflix.

WAGE RAGE

After prolonged negotiations, the minimum wage has been more than doubled — from N30,000 to N70,000 per month. Another review is expected in 2027. This is not a bad deal, even if not great either. Employers still have to generate the revenue to pay. Many will end up not paying at all or sacking workers in order to manage the wage bill. Some will do both. I find two popular takes on the minimum wage amusing. One, people make it look like N70,000 is the average wage of a Nigerian worker. It is not. It is for the lowest paid. Two, people convert the figure to dollars in order to ridicule it — as if workers collect their salaries and head to the BDC. It surely doesn’t work like that. Cynical.

NO COMMENT

Alhaji Umar Namadi, governor of Jigawa state, has told Nigerians that the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship is not the solution to our problem. True, but I wish he had stopped there. He went on to say “people should turn to God, repent, seek for forgiveness and divine intervention on the challenges”. Truly, economic hardship is not limited to Nigeria – it is a global phenomenon, although it seems Nigeria has been on a freefall. However, interpreting the hardship as “a trial from God” and something that needs repentance and forgiveness, as Namadi did, is quite bemusing. In that case, the repentance should start with those mismanaging the country. Logical.

End Bad Governance Protest: Tinubu, Fix the Economy, Leave Protesters Alone by Ajiboye Amos Olakunle 

The Nigerian government's recent attempts to quash the End Bad Governance protests have been utterly astounding. In a frantic bid to cling to power and maintain the status quo, they have resorted to a multi-pronged strategy of intimidation, manipulation, and division. By exploiting traditional institutions, the government seeks to create an aura of mystique and foreboding, aiming to deter citizens from exercising their fundamental human rights. Threats have been issued to protesters, and agents provocateurs have been deployed to foment discord and violence. The government's tactics are clear: silence dissent, crush opposition, and maintain the grip of bad governance on our beloved nation.

The manipulation of traditional groups to commence rituals on protest dates is a cynical ploy to deter citizens from exercising their fundamental human rights. It's a crude attempt to conjure an aura of mystique and foreboding, creating an atmosphere of trepidation and dread. However, we are not deceived. Any ritualist who comes out on the day of protest, in fact, has joined the call for change.

We say to the government: your priorities are misplaced. The same energy, resources, and determination you have applied to suppressing the protests should be channeled towards genuine reform and good governance. The same pressure you have brought to bear on the protesters should be applied to fixing the systemic problems that have plagued our nation for far too long.

The Nigerian people demand more than just superficial concessions and token gestures. We demand a fundamental transformation of our governance system, a radical overhaul of our institutions, and a commitment to transparency, accountability, and justice. We call on the government to redirect its focus towards addressing the pressing issues that have driven the protests in the first place. Fix the economy, provide jobs, and alleviate poverty. Ensure access to quality education and healthcare. Address the scourge of corruption and mismanagement. Protect the rights and freedoms of all Nigerians.

The government's current approach is akin to treating the symptoms of a disease while ignoring the root cause. It is a short-sighted strategy that will only lead to further unrest, further division, and further suffering. We urge the government to engage with the protesters, to listen to their grievances, and to work towards a comprehensive and inclusive solution. We urge them to recognize that the protests are not a threat, but an opportunity – an opportunity to reform, to renew, and to rebuild our dear nation.

The Nigerian people will not be silenced, will not be intimidated, and will not be oppressed. We will continue to demand a better future, to fight for our rights, and to reclaim our country from those who seek to destroy it. To the government, we say: the choice is yours. Continue down the path of repression and division, or choose the path of reform and progress. The Nigerian people await your response."

Data and AI Leader, Mr Abel Aboh urged Nigeria to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address some of its current challenges even as he highlighted some strategies that can be adopted. 

Aboh gave the charge on Saturday during the July edition of the Nairametrics webinar themed, ‘How to Make Money Using AI: Value Creation for Businesses, Entrepreneurs, and Government.’ 

According to him, Nigeria would need to deploy in the area of agriculture to achieve food sufficiency and this should be one of the immediate actions that the government needs to take. He added that this would require setting up a team of the right people to solve the problem using AI. 

Addressing sectorial problems 

While noting that the present administration through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has been doing a lot in the area of AI, he said a lot still needs to be done in using the technology to solve the country’s problems, looking at it sector by sector. 

“Let’s say we take 10 sectors in the economy and take 10 problems in each of the sectors. What we need to do is to get the right team of people to solve those sectorial problems. This can be in sports, financial services, education, and others. 

“We’re not going to solve the problems 100% but what we do is that as we’re solving these problems, we’re learning lessons, but more importantly, fundamentally, we are collecting the data that is required,” Aboh said. 

Data literacy 

To make headway with AI, the technology expert said Nigeria would also need to increase data literacy levels, especially among the people working in government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.  

According to him, data is very crucial in AI and people in government must be data literate enough to ensure data privacy and data security.  

“We need to evolve our people and start talking to them about data literacy. We need to start talking to them about data privacy as well. I mean, there are a couple of stories that came up about the NIN, that people say they can buy off the shelf. You know, they can get people’s private data. 

“So, we need to start talking about data security. These are the whole bandwagon that enables you successfully to deliver data and AI successfully,” he said. 

Partnering with other African countries 

In addition to that, Aboh said Nigeria would also need to partner with other African countries to be able to address some of its challenges. While noting that only Nigerians can solve Nigerian problems, the AI leader said a strategic collaboration with other African countries would fast-track the journey for Nigeria.  

Emphasizing the need for the partnership, Aboh said: 

“We need to be forward in working with the African countries. I always say to people, that African data and African people are quite unique, and what we don’t simply want to do is to go and take something outside of Europe or Asia and apply it to ourselves.  

“So, we need to be leading the charge and working with other African countries in order to build the right strategy that works for Africa.” 

Aboh added that Nigeria has abundant of people with the right skills,  expertise, and exposure that could help the country navigate the AI revolution. He said the government would also need to collaborate with those individuals to achieve its goals. 

Click here to watch the full video of the webinar, where other experts spoke on AI opportunities in Nigeria.

[Nairametrics]

The lawmaker representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has voiced concerns over Daniel Bwala, a former aide to Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, suggesting that Bwala could be a political liability to President Bola Tinubu.

Bwala, who distanced himself from Atiku after Tinubu’s victory in the recent election, has been making efforts to align himself with the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite previously distancing himself from the party over its Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Senator Ndume criticized Bwala, indicating that his recent actions raise questions about his loyalty and political utility.

Bwala’s departure from Atiku’s camp and subsequent attempts to integrate into the APC have drawn scrutiny, especially given his previous critiques of Tinubu’s policies.

The tension between Ndume and Bwala escalated when Bwala accused Ndume of planning to mobilize youths to attack him in his local government area, Hawul, part of Ndume’s constituency.

Ndume responded to these allegations during a press briefing at his Maiduguri residence, expressing regret over Bwala’s claims and questioning Bwala’s connections to Hawul, suggesting that Bwala cannot trace his actual roots or connect with the local people there.

He said, “The only advice I can give President Tinubu is that, politically Daniel Bwala is just a Mad Dog who barks and bites even the owner, and so, Tinubu should be careful with the likes of Bwala.

“Bwala was once a member of the APC, but later ran away shamelessly and joined the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, where he started using all sorts of abusive and insulting words against Tinubu on Live television. Bwala can only be useful in attacking people, but the 2027 general elections are coming; all I can advise is for Bwala to come to Borno and trace his roots.

“Ordinarily, I did not want to join issues with him. I wouldn’t have replied to Mr Bwala because I believe Bwala’s strategy is how to get the attention and sympathy of Mr President to give him Police cover and maybe a job.

“I can describe Daniel Bwala as a failed Lawyer and empty drum making noise in Abuja. As I said, I did not want to respond, but because Bwala talked about threats or I am mobilizing Youths to attack him, which has security implications, is very sensitive.

“We have credible people in the Hawul local government area, and they know who Daniel Bwala is, in fact when I saw his message on X handle, I thought it was Inuwa Bwala, who was the former Caretaker Chairman of Hawul and a renowned journalist. I quickly drew his attention to it, which he said, he was not the one.

“Later, I was made to understand that it is Daniel Bwala who has no political relevance as far as Southern Borno is concerned.

“In fact, I replied to his post and said, if accusing and abusing me on Twitter or pages of Newspapers would fetch him something from Tinubu to survive after being a failed lawyer in Abuja, I would be happy for him.

“We have three former Deputy Governors from Hawul, and all of them are my ardent supporters and people I took in high esteem throughout my political surgeon. Bwala wants to portray the peace-loving youths as violent people. You can’t instigate Hawul people to go into political violence, because is not in their character. All I can say is that Bwala is trying to get sympathy from Mr. President.”

The senator also emphasized that the interview he granted on Arise TV did not accuse or insult President Tinubu, but only criticized some policies, which are counterproductive to average Nigerians.

[NaijaNews]

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, has advised residents of the state against attacking protesters.

Fayoade gave the advice while addressing traditional rulers and community leaders in Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, Epe and Lagos Island local government area during a town hall meeting on Saturday.

Fayoade said although police and other security agencies had met and declared that there should not be any protest in Lagos State, the residents should not attack any group or groups that might come out to protest.

“If there must be a protest, it must be peaceful. We want to know those who want to protest so that we can make arrangements for their security.

“It is your right to protest legitimately as long as it does not affect the rights of others.

“Any group planning a violent protest should rethink. Such a group will meet police and other security agencies. We don’t want a repeat of #EndSARS.

“The duty of residents is to give the police timely information about any group planning a violent protest, it is not for them to attack them,” he said.

[Newspot]

Kazakhstan’s duo Alexandra Le and Islam Satpayev won the first medal of the 2024 Olympic Games on Saturday after claiming an upset bronze in the 10-metre mixed team air rifle event.

Le and Satpayev cruised to victory over Germany’s Maximilian Ulbrich and Anna Janssen, outscoring their opponents 17-5 at Chateauroux.

Janssen, ranked world number one in the event, and Ulbrich, the world No.19, had been favourites to prevail against Le and Satpayev, ranked 33rd and 95th in the world respectively.

[Leadership]

The National Assembly has been thrown into mourning again following the death of the lawmaker representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

Ubah reportedly died in the United Kingdom on Saturday at the age of 52. He was the sixth federal lawmaker to pass on since the 2023 general elections were held.

He was said to have travelled to the UK a few weeks ago for medical treatment but his health condition reportedly became critical.

The cause of his death could not be immediately ascertained.

Ubah was elected Senator in 2019 on the platform of the Young Progressive Party, YPP, and reelected on the same platform in 2023. He however defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) earlier this year and was aiming to run for Anambra State governorship in the 2025 offcycle election.

He contested the 2021 Anambra governorship poll but lost to Professor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Ekene Adams

Barely two weeks ago, the House of Representatives had lost member representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, Rep. Ekene Abubakar Adams.

He had reportedly battled ill-health in the months leading to his death.

According to a statement by the House Spokesperson, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr, Adams died early Tuesday, July 16, at the age of 39.

“The House of Representatives is saddened to announce the passing of a dear member of the 10th Assembly, Rep. Ekene Abubakar Adams (LP, Kaduna), who died early Tuesday, at the age of 39.

“Rep. Adams was a dedicated public servant, passionate sports administrator, and kind philanthropist who, until his demise, chaired the House Committee on Sports. He was a first-term member of the House of Representatives, representing the good people of Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.

“The dear departed lawmaker was a kind and gentle humanitarian, loved by all who knew him. His dedication to the development of grassroots sports in Nigeria was unwavering, and his contributions to the House will be deeply missed,” the statement read.

A former football player, Adams had served as the general manager of Nigeria Premier Football League side Remo Stars as well as Kada City before he won a seat in the House of Representatives during the 2023 general elections.

His sports background earned him the role of the reps committee chairman on sports despite being a first-timer in the green chamber.

Olaide Akinremi

About a week before Adams’ death, the House of Representatives had lost member representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency of Oyo State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rep. Olaide Adewale Akinremi.

Akinremi’s death was announced in a statement on Wednesday, July 10, by the House Spokesperson, Rotimi Jr.

He said the lawmaker died after a brief illness, aged 51.

The statement described the late Akinremi as a distinguished and ranking member of the 10th Assembly.

He served as Chairman of the House Committee on Science Research Institutions.

“Until his demise, the Oyo legislator was a dedicated public servant known for his unwavering commitment to the development of his constituency and the country at large.

“His passion for service, coupled with his deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of his people, earned him the endearing title of ‘Jagaban,” the statement added.

Isa Dogonyaro

On May 10, 2024, member representing Garki/Babura federal Constituency of Jigawa State, Rep. Isa Dogonyaro, passed away.

One of his colleagues, Mohammed Bello El-Rufa’i announced the death of the lawmaker on his Facebook wall Friday morning.

He wrote, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. Earlier today, we lost colleague in the House of Representatives, a brilliant parliamentarian and an overall good man. May Allah SWT forgive him and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus”.

Speaking to Daily Trust on telephone, the Deputy House Spokesperson, Phillip Agbese, said he learnt about the death of the lawmaker through posts on social media and on WhatsApp groups of the House of Representatives.

He said, “There are the usual Islamic prayers and tributes by colleagues on various platforms. There is no official communication to the House yet. The family has not communicated to the House.

“That is the tradition. It is when the family communicates through the Speaker that we will officially announce his death. I learnt that the funeral prayer is scheduled in Abuja this afternoon”.

Dogonyaro was declared the lawful APC candidate for the House of Representatives in the 2023 general election after a court sacked Aminu Kanta who was declared the winner of the primary election in the constituency.

The deceased had challenged Kanta’s victory on the grounds of allegedly submitting a false name.

Abdulkadir Danbuga

On October 11, 2023 the member, representing Isa-Sabon Birni federal constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulkadir Jelani Danbuga, died.

Dambuga’s colleague and member, representing Sabon Birni South constituency at the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Aminu Almustapha (aka Boza), had confirmed death to Daily Trust.

According to Boza, Dambuga died after a brief illness.

He was said to have been admitted in the hospital around Tuesday noon.

“His remains would be taken to the National Mosque for the bathing ritual after which it would be flown to Sokoto for burial around 11am,” Boza said.

Danbuga is survived by two wives, many children and grandchildren.

Ismaila Maihanci

About two months after he won the seat to represent Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency in Taraba State, Ismaila Maihanci, passed on. He died on April 22, 2023 at the age of 36.

Maihanci had won the election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Born on October 22 1986, Maihanci served as a Special Adviser to Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku. He had also served as the Secretary of PDP in Taraba State.

[DailyTrust]

Ahead of the nationwide protest scheduled to commence on August 1, 2024, a former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has admonished the organizers to shelve the plan.

Kwankwaso, who is the national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, said they should rather make use of the ballot.

He said regime change through democratic means would be more efficient against an incompetent government than protests.

In a statement he personally signed on Friday night, Kwankwaso emphasized that effective and lasting change can be achieved through the power of the ballots not protests.

“It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I share my thoughts on the current situation in Nigeria.

“We find ourselves in avoidable hardship because our leaders missed some steps since 2007.

“However, there is always room for correction and setting the country on the right track for economic development, prosperity, and better welfare of citizens,” he said.

Kwankwaso highlighted several crises stemming from poor governance, such as federal interference in Kano State’s chieftaincy matters, the impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, political turmoil in Rivers State and widespread insecurity.

“Interferences by the Federal Government into the affairs of the chieftaincy matters in Kano State, impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, political crisis in Rivers State, sabotage to AIiko Dangote refinery, controversies surrounding SAMOA agreement, the conflict between Sen. Ali Ndume and the APC Leadership, widespread insecurity and other criminal acts are a few examples of avoidable and unnecessary crises,” he said.

He argued that those issues were symptomatic of a lack of accountability and transparency.

“It is sad to note that the attitude of our leaders to poor governance has plunged the citizens, especially youth, into hunger, insecurity, hopelessness, and a sense of giving up on the country,” Kwankwaso remarked.

He called on Nigerian leaders at all levels to urgently address those challenges by ensuring good governance and adherence to the rule of law.

Acknowledging the recent calls for protests, Kwankwaso recognized the collective frustration and yearning for a better Nigeria but cautioned against the potential consequences of such actions.

He urged Nigerians to consider the power of their vote as the most effective tool for change.

“In these trying times, our nation stands at a crossroads. Our collective frustration with bad governance has reached a boiling point, and the urge to protest is strong.

“As an elder and patriotic Nigerian, I share your concerns and your desire for change.

“However, I urge you to consider the consequences of national protests and to channel your energy into a more effective and peaceful means of transformation through the power of your ballot,” Kwankwaso advised.

Kwankwaso warned that protests, while a fundamental democratic right, often escalated into violence, leading to loss of lives, destruction of property, and widespread chaos.

“The repercussions of such actions extend far beyond the immediate moment, leaving scars on our communities and deepening divisions among us.

“I speak to you not just as an elder and a concerned citizen but as someone who deeply believes in the power and potential of our great nation.

“Let us put our country first and work together to build the Nigeria we all aspire to see,” he advocated.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) says the tightness in fuel supply and distribution is caused by a hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels.

Mr Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd., made this known on Saturday in a statement while reacting to the current queues and scarcity being witnessed in some parts of Lagos and the FCT.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that queues started building up at fuel stations in the FCT on Friday, as motorists were seen lining up at various fuel stations, while some have remained shut.

He said the Company was working round the clock with all stakeholders to resolve the situation and restore normalcy in the operations.

(NAN)