### Hardship: Presidency Affirms Nigerians’ Right to Protest
On July 28, the Presidency confirmed that Nigerians have the right to peaceful protests and assured that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is focused on serving the people. Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, acknowledged the severe economic challenges faced by Nigerians and emphasized that the government is implementing various strategies to improve living standards.
In an interview on TVC’s “Politics on Sunday with Femi Akande,” Ngelale addressed concerns about the government’s position regarding the planned peaceful protests from August 1 to 10. He made it clear that the administration respects the right to protest, stating, “We are not in office to dominate our people; we are here to serve them. No one within our administration has the power to block Nigerians from exercising their right to peaceful protest.”
Ngelale urged Nigerians to be patient, explaining that development takes time. He emphasized that while Nigerians are enduring significant economic challenges, the administration is committed to enhancing living standards through short-, medium-, and long-term strategies.
### Government Initiatives
Ngelale highlighted several initiatives undertaken by President Tinubu’s administration to address economic hardships. These include:
– Single-digit interest rate credit facilities for over one million micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
– Reconstruction of seaports and roads to improve infrastructure.
– Student Loan Scheme to support education.
– Consumer Credit Program to aid household purchases.
– Increase in the national minimum wage to improve living standards.
He noted that while these efforts may take time to produce visible results, they are essential for long-term improvement. Ngelale stressed the importance of efficient implementation of these policies to avoid administrative inefficiencies and bureaucratic delays.
Ngelale also discussed the recent Supreme Court ruling granting fiscal autonomy to local government councils, describing it as “restructuring in action.” He pointed out that this change will require time for Nigerians to see its real impact on their daily lives.
In another development, Vice President Kashim Shettima urged Nigerians to focus on constructive action rather than protests. Speaking on July 26, Shettima emphasized the need to solve Nigeria’s problems collaboratively and announced the Federal Government’s involvement in the Grand Challenges Nigeria Project during a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
