President Bola Tinubu has addressed the upcoming nationwide protest scheduled to begin on August 1, 2024, emphasizing the distinction between peaceful demonstrations and violent unrest. He acknowledged that protests are a fundamental aspect of democracy but stressed that any form of protest leading to violence and destruction of property would not be condoned by his government.
During a meeting with the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., Tinubu reiterated his stance on the issue. He highlighted his own history of participating in peaceful protests against dictatorship during the military era and assured his commitment to maintaining democracy without endorsing any actions that result in harm or property damage.
The President’s comments come in response to growing preparations for a 10-day nationwide protest aimed at addressing economic hardship and other pressing issues. Security agencies have also warned of potential attempts to hijack the protests with violent intentions, urging parents and guardians to counsel their children against participating.