The federal government has appealed to citizens planning a nationwide protest over food crisis and hunger, to remain calm and give peace, saying both President Bola Tinubu and his ministers are working to change the situation.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the appeal after an emergency meeting of members of the Federal Executive Council, called on Wednesday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, at his office in Abuja.
Idris emphasised that everyone is entitled to their opinion in a democracy, but urged protesters to be patient and give the government time to address their concerns.
He assured that President Tinubu is working tirelessly, and all hands are on deck to ensure that the government’s efforts benefit all Nigerians.
The minister reiterated the President’s message, urging Nigerians to calm down and give him more time to address their pleas.
“The protesters are also Nigerians, this is a democratic situation. What I keep saying is that we’re all Nigerians and we’re all acting in the interest of Nigeria, but suffice it to say that Q Mr President said there’s no need for any protest, let us calm down.
“A lot is happening, Nigeria is going to move and March on and we believe that whatever government comes out with will be in the interest of Nigeria. We don’t think that there’s a need for any protest, we’re appealing for calm, we’re appealing for a peaceful resolution or peaceful approach to any issue.
“If you have anything that you want to put out there, you are free to put it out there, but the government is insisting that we’re all Nigerians, we have to be calm, we have to be patient and suffice it to say that let us give peace a chance. Mr President is working round the clock, his ministers are working, everyone is working, all hands are on deck.
“Like I said yesterday, everyone is listening; we’re all listening, the President is listening and he has a message for all Nigerians, that message is that they should all calm down, should please give the man more time. Everything they ask for, all their pleas will be answered.
“No one is going to sleep. Those who are agitating and asking for protest are Nigerians, they’re our brothers, there are sisters, they’re all Nigerians and those in positions of authority; the ministers, the President, everybody, we’re all Nigerians too.
“So this is a family matter, this is a Nigerian family issue and all of us are looking at this issue very well and we hope that peace will prevail at the end of the day.”
Asked if the government has been engaging with leaders of the planned protest, Idris said: “Engagement has always been an ongoing thing, this is not a peculiar situation, and engagement has been ongoing. The President has met severally with all key stakeholders. I have also been meeting with stakeholders, other functionaries have also been meeting with other key stakeholders.
“Engagement is going to continue and in the interest of Nigeria, we will continue to engage. We know this is the only country that all of us have and at the end of the day Nigeria is going to be better for all of us for it.”
