*Cartoon culled from ThisDay
By Divine Ihechimerem
Less that 24 hours to the planned nationwide protests, here are the 12 major demands the protesters want the government of President Ahmed Tinubu to address.
1. Revert petrol pump price to N100/litre
2. Combat insecurity and hunger
3. Close all IDP camps and resettle the campers.
4. Total electoral reform
5. Independent probe into the electoral budget of N355 billion.
6. Immediate release of ENDSARS protesters still in detention
7. Implementation of living wage (minimum wage of N300k)
8. Compulsory free education from primary to secondary school.
9. Children of public school holders must attend public schools in the country.
10. Government must patronise made-in-Nigeria goods.
11. Transition to unicameral legislation.
12. Judicial and constitutional review
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has pleaded with Nigerians to shun the planned nationwide hunger protest.
He said better days are ahead and Nigerians will soon breathe a sigh of relief.
He said President Bola Tinubu recognises the right to peaceful protest but circumspection should be the watchword.
He said the government was weary of protests being hijacked by bandits, insurgents, and other criminals.
He urged the citizens to go about their legitimate businesses and avoid actions capable of disturbing the peace of the country.
Akume made the plea at a briefing alongside four key ministers and the special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The others are the minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, the coordinating minister of the economy and minister of finance, Wale Edun, the minister of budget and national planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and the minister of solid minerals, Dele Alake.
Akume begged Nigerians to pursue the path of peace, dialogue and collaboration.
He said: “Ladies and gentlemen, it is in the light of these aforementioned situation and accomplishments that we wish to inform you that Nigeria is a work in progress and in due course, we shall breathe a sigh of relief.
“The ongoing economic hardships would abate very soon and we shall all enjoy endless prosperity.
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“We therefore appeal to Nigerians of whatever persuasion, belief, demography, gender and status to shun calls for protest against hunger by prioritising peace and progress.”
He said President Tinubu recognises the right to peaceful protest but circumspection should be the watchword.
He added:” For the avoidance of doubts, the government of President Tinubu recognises the right to peaceful protest but circumspection and vigilance should be our watchwords.”
The SGF said the government was pleading because protests might be hijacked by bandits and insurgents.
He said: “Government is weary of the dangers associated with protests that are vulnerable to being highjacked by bandits, insurgents and other criminals.
“Rather, we request that dialogue should be advanced and we remain open to such.
“Our appeal is that Nigerians should please pursue the path of peace, dialogue, and collaboration in addressing the challenges that collectively confront us.
“Please go about your legitimate businesses and avoid actions and/or associations that are capable of disturbing the peace of the country. Remain vigilant as well.”
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not disappoint the nation.
“Let me reassure you that together, we shall create a Nigeria where peace and stability are not merely aspirations but realities, where economic growth is not just a goal but a tangible outcome, and where the dreams of our people are transformed into a shared national destiny,” he said