Just In: Federal Government Schedules Emergency Meeting Nationwide Protest

 Just In: Federal Government Schedules Emergency Meeting Nationwide ProtestThe Federal Government has scheduled an emergency meeting for this morning to address the planned nationwide protest set for August 1. This follows President Bola Tinubu’s appeal to the protest organizers to delay the demonstrations, allowing his administration more time to implement people-oriented programs.

A circular shared with Punch on Tuesday revealed the details of the meeting. It indicated that key officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the Special Advisers to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman; Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; and former Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, were invited to participate.

The circular, signed by Richard Pheelangwah, the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, and dated July 23, 2024, was titled, “Planned Nationwide Protest.”

It stated, “I am directed to invite you to attend a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the above subject slated as follows: July 24, 2024, Time: 10 am prompt, Venue: Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Conference Room. Attendance is mandatory. Please, accept the warm regards of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

This emergency meeting comes amid widespread calls for protests starting August 1 in response to the rising cost of living and economic hardships, attributed to the removal of the fuel subsidy, the floating of the naira, and other economic reforms implemented by the Tinubu administration.