A security report from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, indicates that former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, was engaged by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to dissuade people from participating in the #EndBadGovernance protest in Kano.
Sources informed SaharaReporters that Kwankwaso’s role is to help de-escalate tensions and maintain peace in the state amidst the planned nationwide protest scheduled from August 1 to 10. The protest aims to address issues of bad governance, hunger, and economic hardship in Nigeria.
According to the security report, which has been shared with all police commissioners, Kwankwaso’s involvement is critical in defusing the situation. The ex-Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the NNPP has publicly appealed to Nigerians to use their voting rights to effect change rather than taking to the streets. He highlighted that poor governance is the root cause of various challenges, including anger, hunger, insecurity, and despair among the populace.
In a recent post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Kwankwaso urged the public to support the government and be patient, emphasizing that if the government fails, citizens can elect new leaders through the ballot. He also warned about the potential negative consequences of protests, citing past events where protests escalated into violence, resulting in loss of lives and property.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police has directed senior police officials to ensure the safety of protesters across the country, indicating the government’s readiness to manage the protests peacefully.
Credit: SaharaReporters