Protest: FG offices deserted as Tinubu meets security chiefs
Offices at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja remained deserted, with only a few staff members reporting for duty as protests continue for the fifth day on Monday in Nigeria’s capital.
This is coming just as President Bola Tinubu postponed the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC, to meet with security chiefs.
The protests have significantly impacted the daily lives of Abuja residents, with many struggling to cope with the disruptions.
The protesters, who have taken to the streets in cities across the country, are demanding an end to hunger, food inflation, and bad governance. They are also calling for the return of fuel subsidies, among other demands.
The government is yet to effectively address any of the protesters’ demands.
President Bola Tinubu’s broadcast on Sunday in an attempt to address the protests was widely criticized for falling short of expectations.
Organisers of the protests, as well as prominent figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), amongst others, expressed disappointment with the President’s response.
The protesters have vowed to continue their actions until their demands are met, and the situation remains fluid, with developments unfolding by the hour.
President Bola Tinubu
Our correspondent, who was at the Council Chamber at the scheduled time, observed that although some ministers were seated, President Bola Tinubu, his Vice President Kashim Shettima, his Chief of Staff, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, were yet to arrive.
At about 12:15 pm, some ministers began packing their memos and walking to the exit.
One of the ministers said the meeting had been shifted.
Nonetheless, Presidency sources who confided in our correspondent said the first notice of the meeting was disseminated on Sunday night but was postponed hours before noon.
“The ministers were not even supposed to come here because the meeting has been postponed, but it appears they got the notice very late.
Another source said, “FEC was postponed, but there will be a security meeting at 2:00 pm.”
Reports indicate that Nigerians, mostly youths, returned to the streets across the country for the fifth day of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests.
