By Samuel Timothy

With just 24 hours to go before the planned 10-day hunger protest, the Federal Government has implemented several measures to quell the demonstration.

Recently, the Take It Back movement announced a nationwide protest against hunger and poor governance, named “Days of Rage,” scheduled for August 1 to 10.

However, concerns from top government officials, groups, and religious bodies, including the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Muslim Student Society of Nigeria (Lagos chapter), and the Muslim Rights Concern, have highlighted fears of potential hijacking by infiltrators with ulterior motives.

Former Niger Delta freedom fighter, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, has warned the protest organizers to stay away from the Niger Delta, claiming the protest does not address the region’s issues. He accused the organizers of being anarchists interested only in the region’s resources and vowed resistance.

Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, urged all groups planning to protest to submit their details to state Commissioners of Police to ensure the protest remains peaceful. Egbetokun acknowledged the constitutional right to peaceful assembly but emphasized public safety and order.

Despite gaining traction on social media and endorsements from presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar (PDP) and Peter Obi (Labour Party), the Federal Government considers the protest unnecessary and demands time for President Tinubu to govern effectively. Here are the key steps taken to prevent the protest:

Affordable Rice Centers: President Tinubu established centers nationwide where Nigerians can purchase a 50kg bag of rice for N40,000 to ease living conditions.
Crude Oil Sales in Naira: Tinubu directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to sell crude oil to the Dangote refinery and other upcoming refineries in naira, aiming to reduce the prices of domestically refined petroleum products and strengthen the naira.
Meeting with APC Governors: Tinubu met with All Progressives Congress governors to discuss the growing calls for nationwide protests against economic hardship.
Suspension of Import Duties: To combat inflation, Tinubu suspended import duties on food and essential commodities, despite previously announcing a potential stop.
Emergency Meetings with Leaders: The President held emergency meetings with traditional rulers and Ulamas (Islamic scholars) to prevent the planned protest.
Youth Internship Scheme: The Federal Government unveiled a Youth Internship Scheme initiated by the NDDC for 10,000 youths in the Niger Delta, with a monthly stipend of N50,000.
Restoration of Phone Lines: The Nigerian Communications Commission directed telecommunications operators to restore all blocked phone lines due to the non-linkage of National Identification Numbers to SIM cards, prioritizing consumer convenience.
New Minimum Wage Act: President Tinubu signed the new Minimum Wage Act into law, setting the new minimum wage at N70,000, following agreements with organized labour unions.