Nationwide Protest: Monitor Your Children’s Movement

The All Progressives Congress, on Wednesday, called on parents to watch the movement of their children to prevent them from being recruited for violence ahead of the nationwide planned protest.

The warning comes in the wake of Tuesday’s threat by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, that security operatives wouldn’t hesitate to make arrests if the planned protest turns violent.

The protest, scheduled to run from August 1 to 10, has continued to generate tension and elicit mixed reactions from Nigerians.

Several groups who indicated interest in championing the campaign said the call for protest was provoked by the soaring cost of living and economic hardship in the country.

Addressing newsmen after its 153rd National Working Committee meeting, the National Secretary of APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, announced that the ruling party has joined the President to appeal to those planning protests to shelve their plans and have confidence that the Federal Government would address most of the economic challenges facing the nation.

Basiru also urged Nigerians to monitor the movement of their children to ensure they are not caught on the wrong arm of the law.

He said, “We noted that since coming on board in 2023, the government met quite several challenges, especially economic challenges, and Mr President is gradually implementing programmes and policies that would in the nearest future bring succour and relief to the citizens.

“The NWC noted that some issues highlighted by the protestants are political, while others are constitutional matters that can only be addressed through the amendment of the constitution, which is ongoing at the National Assembly.

“We, therefore, urge all those planning the protests to have confidence in Mr President’s unrelentless efforts at repositioning the economy, while assuring Nigerians that the challenges will sooner or later come to pass.

“The meeting urged parents and well-meaning Nigerians to monitor the movement of their children/wards so that they will not be used in causing chaos in the country.”

Continuing, the national secretary added that an emergency meeting of all Chairmen of the APC in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory has been called for ‘further discussions.’

Although he did not specify the date, PUNCH Online gathered that the state party leaders would meet with the leadership of the APC at the secretariat on Friday.

This was also confirmed by the National Deputy Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, in an exclusive phone call with our reporter.

Duru, however, confided that the protest was not the sole reason for the meeting.

“Yes, the meeting is scheduled for Friday. That issue (protest), of course, and the State of the Nation,” he said.