On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu held emergency meetings with All Progressives Congress (APC) state governors, prominent traditional rulers, and Ulamas (Islamic religious scholars) at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. These meetings were part of the government’s efforts to prevent the nationwide hunger protests scheduled for August 1 to 10.
The protests, organized under the hashtag ‘EndBadGovernance,’ have gained significant traction on social media, reflecting widespread economic hardships across the country. Despite their growing popularity, the organizers of these protests remain unknown, with no group officially claiming responsibility.
President Tinubu began his day with a meeting at 1 PM with the APC governors, under the banner of the Progressives Governors Forum. The discussion lasted about an hour and 15 minutes and followed a Wednesday night meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the last-minute cancellation of a National Economic Council meeting scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
During the meeting, our correspondent observed the presence of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Finance Minister Wale Edun, and Budget and Economic Planning Minister Abubakar Bagudu.
At 2:30 PM, the President met with prominent traditional rulers in the Council Chamber at the Villa. This meeting, which concluded at 4 PM, was attended by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun were also present. Additionally, Kwara State Governor Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, participated in the meeting alongside Edun and Bagudu.
Later in the evening, President Tinubu held a meeting with Ulamas, which concluded after 6 PM.
