Nigeria’s Defense Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, is urging organizers of the planned #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest to call off the demonstration and instead engage in dialogue with the federal government.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Abubakar highlighted the positive effects of President Tinubu’s recent reforms, pointing to the country’s ongoing economic recovery and improved security situation. He noted that Nigeria’s economy experienced a strong first-quarter growth rate, the second-fastest in six years.
“There is serious improvement in security as most of the roads and highways hitherto closed due to insecurity have been opened,” he added. “Herders and farmers clashes have been solved by the creation of the Livestock Ministry and many farmers have returned to their farms.”
Abubakar also mentioned several initiatives by President Bola Tinubu aimed at stabilizing the economy, including the introduction of the Nigerian Student Loan Scheme, increased funding for infrastructure, and the decision to sell crude oil to local refining companies in Nigeria’s currency, the naira.
While acknowledging the public’s right to protest, Abubakar warned against using the August 1 protest to incite unrest, arguing that it is “poorly timed given the positive turnaround in the economy.”
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
