Several State capitals in Nigeria including Abuja were in panic mode on Wednesday less than twenty-four hours before the commencement of the #endbadgovernance protests as the Federal Government functionaries addressed the media and appealed to the organisers of the nationwide protests to shelve their plans.

Several security meetings and town hall meetings took place across Nigeria with government officials in a frenzy to pilling pressure on the organisers to cancel the protests. In Abuja, the federal government addressed the media where it said the demands of the protesters have been heard by the government and listed different actions it was taking to address them.

At the International Press Center, the venue of the government briefing, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume pleaded with Nigerians to shun the planned nationwide hunger protest. According to him, better days are ahead and Nigerians will soon breathe a sigh of relief adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recognises the right to peaceful protest but circumspection should be the watchword.

Journalists who had gone for the INEC Quarterly Consultative Meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were halfway into the media event when some of them were summoned to the International Press Center where the Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, and some ministers briefed the media on the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. There was another media briefing at the Force Headquarters.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who addressed the media at the International Conference Centre said “Economic prosperity for the nation remains the ultimate goal of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because it is the engine that drives progress, lifts families from poverty, and builds strong, resilient societies.

“To achieve this goal, we must enjoy peace and stability because it is the cornerstone upon which we build trust, cooperation, and shared purpose. When peace reigns, policies yield results, businesses thrive, investments flourish, and creativity is unleashed.

“This administration at inception in May 2023 inherited an economy in need of urgent, bold, and imaginative reforms. Policy measures including the removal of an unsustainable fuel subsidy regime had to be taken. This, it must be admitted has resulted in unexpected adjustments that impacted all facets of the economy and our daily lives.

“The administration similarly inherited a security situation that had existed for two decades and required greater attention in terms of upgrade of security architecture, infrastructure, systems, capability and capacity of personnel. This has compelled a massive infusion of scarce resources from our already dwindling revenue. The objectives have been to secure lives and property, build foreign investors’ confidence, and increase food production by returning our communities to their homes and farmlands in a safe and secure environment.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sought the mandate of Nigerians to lead the nation at this difficult time because he knew that effective leadership was required to address the challenges that had accumulated over several years. That was why he sought to renew the hope of Nigerians. Within a space of 14 months of purposeful leadership, the administration has recorded tremendous accomplishments that laid the foundation for the immediate, medium, and long-term prosperity of Nigerians, in an inclusive manner.

The briefing was attended by the minister of information and national orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and the Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Alake among others.

In Kaduna, there was a Town Hall Meeting where Governor Uba Sani addressed different stakeholders on the need to sheath their swords and not participate in the protest. The meeting was addressed by representatives from different sectors of the State most of who pledged their support not to participate in the protests.

The leadership of the Labour Unions, students and religious leaders assured the governor that their members will not participate in the protests.

The organisers of the proposed protest had written letters to the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mr. Nyesom Wike requesting the use of Eagle Square, Abuja.

The Inspector General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, also urged all groups planning to participate in the proposed nationwide protest to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states. He said this was to ensure the protest remains peaceful, adding: “We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest.

“However, in the interest of public safety and order, we urge all groups planning to protest to provide the necessary details to the Commissioner of Police in the state where the protest is intended to take place.”

In Lagos, Justice Emmanuel Ogundare of the Lagos High Court on Tuesday restricted the protesters to Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, and Peace Park Ketu. But the protesters have said the court cannot restrict them to any location and that they have communicated their movement and places of convergence to the Police High Command.

There was also a show of force by officers of the Nigerian Police around Lagos in the afternoon of Wednesday. Hundreds of policemen and women could be seen around the Lekki Too Gate taking position. A long convoy of Police vehicles could be seen at other locations at Ikeja and Alausa, the seat of government.