The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, announced that security agencies have identified a senator as a key sponsor of the ongoing anti-government protests.

This revelation came following an emergency FCT Security Council meeting held Thursday night in Abuja.

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Wike explained that the senator in question arranged for security operatives to escort a truckload of food supplies intended for the protesters.

He assured that the relevant agencies would summon the senator for questioning in due time.

While acknowledging that protests are a democratic right, Wike emphasized the importance of respecting the court order that confines protest activities to the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

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“We had previously stated that we would continue to brief the press as we monitor the protests against bad governance and hunger in the country,” Wike said. “This is a democratic government, and we must adhere to the rule of law. Protesting is an entitlement, allowing the government to address the raised issues. Obeying the rule of law means obeying court orders.”

Wike reiterated the government’s efforts to improve the lives of the people and highlighted the recent court order, which did not stop protests but restricted them to the National Stadium.

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He expressed concerns about the potential for miscreants to hijack the protests and cause property destruction within the FCT, as seen in other states where protests resulted in loss of lives.

“If such incidents occur in the FCT, it would have significant implications, especially with the international community conducting their businesses here,” Wike noted.

He pointed to an attempted breach at the Eagle Square and warned that security agencies have intelligence suggesting plans for further property destruction and potential loss of lives.

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“The security agencies will not permit that,” Wike asserted. “Every protester should go to the MKO Abiola stadium and protest there, as per the court’s directive.”

He also disclosed that a senator had invited security agencies to assist in providing food for the protesters, which he described as sponsorship.

“A senator providing food for protesters. At the appropriate time, security agencies will invite the senator to explain why he is sponsoring activities against the government,” Wike concluded.

The Methodist Archbishop of Okigwe Archdiocese and Bishop of Okigwe Diocese, Rt Rev. Biereonwu Livinus Onuagha, has stated that the Igbo people have no reason to protest, asserting that they have already endured and survived numerous challenges.

Archbishop Onuagha described Nigeria as a polarized nation where protests are unlikely to succeed due to a lack of unity and effective leadership.

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He cautioned that any protest would likely be hijacked, with Igbos unfairly blamed for any negative outcomes.

“It is better for all Igbo people to stay in their homes. We are not protesting anything,” he said. “They have done all they could to Ndigbo, and the Igbo man does not have any problem again in Nigeria.”

He highlighted the historical and ongoing marginalization of the Igbo people, citing the disproportionate number of states in the South-East geopolitical zone and the neglect of critical infrastructure such as the railway system.

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“They have dealt with us so much and so badly that there is nothing left to protest. What are we protesting for that they have not done to us in the past? Is it the marginalization or what? They have six states in all other geopolitical zones, but we have five. They removed the only rail line we had, and they haven’t replaced it like in other parts of the country.”

Archbishop Onuagha emphasized the resilience of the Igbo people, noting their ability to thrive independently of government support.

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He urged Igbos to refrain from participating in protests, deeming them futile.

“For me, everybody should stay at home. Let others protest and tell us the result,” he concluded.

Former Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, alongside Prophet Isa El-Buba, took charge of the “End Bad Governance” protest in Jos on Thursday.

The protest, predominantly attended by youths, marched through major streets of Jos, chanting songs of solidarity.

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Organizers indicated that the protest would continue from August 1 to 10.

Dalung, addressing the gathering at the outset of the protest, emphasized its purpose to demand effective governance from the authorities.

“We are out on the streets not to stir trouble but to peacefully urge the government to tackle the pressing challenges facing the nation,” Dalung stated. “There is widespread poverty, hunger among Nigerians, and the cost of living is increasingly burdensome.”

Prophet El-Buba, Convener of the Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), directed his appeal to President Bola Tinubu, urging robust measures to eradicate corruption and improve governance standards in Nigeria.

“This is a battle to redeem the future of Nigeria and its generations,” El-Buba asserted. “We insist that good governance must prevail in Nigeria. When institutions function properly, hunger and violence will diminish, and our armed forces will serve the people better.”

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He pledged unwavering commitment to advancing the cause until Nigeria reclaims its rightful path.

“We are determined to achieve transformation. We cherish our nation, advocate for peace, and are steadfast in securing a prosperous future for Nigeria,” he affirmed.

El-Buba also stressed the need for a unified Nigeria, devoid of divisive tactics based on religion or ethnicity.

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“We are mobilizing for the remaining nine days of this protest,” he declared. “I grew up in a Nigeria where national identity trumped tribal affiliation. Education was universally accessible, and employment prospects were assured before graduation. That’s the Nigeria we strive to restore.”

The protest in Jos underscores growing public discontent and demands for substantial governmental reforms amidst challenging socio-economic conditions.

The nationwide protest against hardship and bad governance turned tragic on Thursday in Katsina State. Demonstrators set the All Progressives Congress (APC) office in Dutsinma LGA on fire and vandalized the APC flag at the ruling party’s office in Katsina LGA.

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During the clashes between protesters and police, one protester was reportedly killed, and a police officer was injured.

Initially calm, the protest was infiltrated by groups carrying sticks and leaves, chanting “Bamuyi Bamuyi,” with many underage participants seen without any security presence around them.

Near the Katsina State Government House, the situation descended into chaos when hoodlums infiltrated the crowd and began attacking security personnel with stones and other objects, preventing them from entering the government house.

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Police resorted to using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the unruly mob.

ASP Sadiq Abubakar, the spokesperson for the Katsina Police Command, confirmed that the APC office in Dutsinma was set on fire.

However, he stated that the command had not received any reports of a protester being killed in the state.

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Meanwhile, the Coalition of Civil Society Groups, representing over 300 organizations in Katsina State, chose to march to the government house instead of taking to the streets.

They aimed to dialogue and present their demands to the Katsina Acting Governor, Mallam Faruq Lawal Jobe, for onward delivery to President Tinubu.

“If the coalitions say we are organizing a protest, considering the number of CSOs at the state and local government level, and we all converge, the number is going to be very big, and controlling that kind of crowd to prevent the infiltration of miscreants can be difficult. So, that’s why we opted for interaction, and in the end, we handed over our letter of demands to the acting governor for submission to the president,” stated AbdulRahman Abdulah, the coalition chairman.

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He attributed most of their challenges to the federal government, citing poverty, fuel subsidy removal, and insecurity.

“After analyzing the situation, we realized that all these three key issues have to do with the federal government.”

On insecurity, he said, “while the state government is trying to use kinetic measures to address the insecurity plaguing the state, the federal government is opting for non-kinetic measures, frustrating the state government’s efforts.”

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Regarding hardship, he said, “the rising cost of living is a product of the subsidy removal, and it’s the federal government that removed the fuel subsidy.”

As for the Katsina State Government, Abdulrahman disclosed that “the primary issue the coalition is facing with them has to do with ensuring that the intervention received from the federal government reaches the targeted audience.”

The acting governor commended the group for their peaceful conduct and assured them that their demands would be forwarded to the president. He also appealed for calm and urged citizens to refrain from damaging public and private property.

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