Ndume: I hope planned protest doesn’t get out of hand | Tinubu should talk to youths

Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, says he hopes that the planned nationwide protest does not “get out of hand”.

There have been reports that some youths are planning a nationwide protest in August against the rising cost of living.

In a statement on Monday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said President Bola Tinubu should invite the leaders of the protest for a dialogue.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Ndume said the protest could prove tricky because the government cannot identify its leaders.

The lawmaker advised the president to cajole the youths to shelve the protest.

“My fear is, looking at what happened during the EndSARS. I hope it does not get out of hand, especially when you cannot identify the leadership, that makes it more difficult,” Ndume said.

“I second the motion of the NLC president that Tinubu should listen to Nigerians. The president should talk to the youth.”

In October 2020, young Nigerians took to the streets to protest against the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The protests took another turn after soldiers shot at demonstrators at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos.

Ndume said Nigerians should remember that the Tinubu administration is just a year old.

The senator said Tinubu should be encouraged to listen and open his doors to Nigerians.

Last Wednesday, Ndume was removed as chief whip of the senate by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The APC accused Ndume of making hurtful comments against the president.

In an interview with BBC Hausa on July 10, Ndume had alleged that some ministers and lawmakers can no longer reach the president to relay the hunger in the land.