Not leaving things to chance, The Federal Government on Thursday intensified efforts to stop the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship in the land.
The President who coordinated the moves met with traditional rulers across the country at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock.
Prior to the meeting with the monarchs, the President had met with the Governors of the Progressive Governors Forum in the bid to prevail on those behind the protest to drop the idea.
The mornachs were led to the meeting with the President by the Ooni of Ife
and the Sultan of Sokoto.
Aside the traditional rulers, the Vice President Kashim Shettima, several members of Federal Executive Council , the Chairmen of the Nigeria Governors Forum, and the Progressives Governors Forum, the Inspector General of Police, and the National Security Adviser attended the meeting.
The Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli, who spoke to State House Correspondents, after the meeting urged citizens to remain calm and patient with the government.
The traditional ruler pointed out that insecurity had remained a major issue which when resolved would enable farmers to return to their farms and reduce the rate of hunger in the country.
The monarch expressed worry over the possible implications of the protests, as such actions had resulted into toppling of government in other parts of the world.
He said: “The message we are taking back to our people is to be calm, exercise patience, to also listen to the words of wisdom coming from the Government.
“The President has given us the blueprint of what he has been doing over time and we are hopeful that by God’s grace it will be alright.
“Though we have made it very clear to him, the main problem in this country, especially the north is insecurity. If the security situation is addressed certainly people will go back to their farms and the issue of hunger will drastically reduce and disappear.
“There’s nobody that will not be worried about the protest, in any place in the world and we have seen what has happened in other climes and governments were brought down. As an ex-diplomat, I have seen what happened in other climes and that is why I am in the position to say what happened in other places. So we are calling on our people to exercise patience and to listen to the words of wisdom. We are very optimistic Nigeria will bounce back to its former position as the leading country in Africa.”
Speaking also, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, was happy about the decision of the government to reach out to the people, which he said signifies a strong link between the leaders and the people.
