Hardship Protest: President Tinubu To Consider Nationwide Address

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, on Wednesday convened a meeting with ministers to deliberate on the proposed nationwide protest against the economic hardships faced by Nigerian youths.

As youth plans to march out on the 1st of August, 2024, a source who spoke with Punch on the outcome of the meeting, revealed that President Bola Tinubu might address Nigerians to put an end to the planned protest.

According to the source, ministers also have been asked to put together three key achievements and present them to Nigerians.

The source said, โ€œAll ministers were present. They suggested that there should be a national address. It was suggested that the President himself should do it. But the suggestion will have to reach the President first.

โ€œThey also asked ministers to put together three key achievements they have made in the past year. They will compile these achievements and present them to Nigerians.

โ€œIn fact, tomorrow (today), the Minister of Finance will be briefing the media on the state of the economy. But those achievements will be compiled for a separate presentation.โ€

Our source added, โ€œThe government stands for dialogue. They will get the leaders (of the protest) to meet with the government for discussions.

โ€œAll the ministers will also go back to their states to engage their people so they wonโ€™t be misled into joining the protests. That is between now and the protest date.

โ€œSome have been engaging their people before. But this time, everyone has been asked to go back there.โ€