Tinubu already protesting on your behalf, FG tells youths

The federal government has urged those contemplating protests to reconsider their actions, stating that President Bola Tinubu is “already protesting on behalf” of potential demonstrators by implementing measures to address their concerns.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this to newsmen Monday after the 9th sitting of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Idris revealed that the government has launched several initiatives aimed at alleviating the economic hardships facing Nigerians.

READ ALSO: Protest: Tinubu signs National Minimum Wage Bill into Law

He noted that many of the protesters’ demands are already being tackled by the administration.

The minister said, “The position of the FEC is that most of the demands that the protesters are making are actually being addressed by the federal government.

“And therefore, it is the view of the government that there is really no need for the protests again because most of those things that the protesters are putting forward are already being addressed by the government and like we have said repeatedly, this is a listening government.

“The President has listened to the voices of all those who are planning this protest. And the message is that there is no need for it.

“Indeed, the President is already protesting on their behalf by doing those things that they want a government to do, for example, the effort that the government is making in ensuring that food is being made available.

The minister listed some key measures the administration has taken to include the distribution of subsidised rice at N40,000 per bag, a 50% discount from market prices, and the allocation of 20 trucks to each state for food distribution to the most vulnerable.

Others include the commencement of student loan disbursements, with provisions for over 2 million students, plans to employ about 3 million youths through the MTT program, and the introduction of CNG vehicles to potentially reduce transportation costs by 60%.

Idris acknowledged that while these efforts may not be sufficient to address all concerns immediately, they represent “necessary first steps” in the government’s broader economic strategy.

The minister appealed to planned protesters to reconsider their actions, warning of the potential for demonstrations to be hijacked by “unscrupulous elements.”

He stressed that while peaceful protest is a democratic right, the government believes the current circumstances do not warrant such actions.

“There is just no need for that,” Idris insisted, urging citizens to allow time for the government’s interventions to take full effect across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure.