Nigerian Senate Urges Protesters to Shelve Plans, Calls for More Time to Address Demands
The Nigerian Senate has urged protesters planning to stage a nationwide protest from August 1 to August 10 to shelve their plans in the interest of the nation. The Senate made this call during a closed-door session in Abuja, where President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, emphasized that one year is not long enough to judge the current government’s policies.
According to Akpabio, the Senate reviewed the current situation regarding the impending protest and urged protesters to give the government more time to address their demands, considering the measures being put in place to alleviate the situation in the country. The measures include the signing of the National Minimum Wage Act, the sale of crude oil to local refiners in Naira, and the implementation of Students Loan Act.
The Senate also highlighted the recent assent granted to the South-East and North-West Development Commissions bills passed by the National Assembly to further address developments at the grassroots. Akpabio stated that the Senate is willing to legislate on all matters that would bring succor to Nigerians in general.
The protest, which is planned by various groups in the country, is aimed at drawing attention to the alleged rise in cost of goods and services, poverty, and hunger in the country. However, the Senate’s call for protesters to shelve their plans may put a damper on the planned demonstration.
It remains to be seen how the protesters will respond to the Senate’s call, but it is clear that the government is eager to address the concerns of Nigerians and find a solution to the current economic challenges facing the country.
