Hunger Protest: Tinubu Shelves FEC Meeting, Engages Security Chiefs

• As protesters refuse to back down despite national broadcast

Determined to consolidate and deploy new strategies in its engagement with the #EndBadGovernance and hunger protesters, the Presidency has shelved the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting earlier scheduled for Monday afternoon.

Competent sources said instead of FEC, President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting behind closed doors with heads of security and paramilitary operatives under the aegis of National Security Council (NSC)

The NSC meeting is holding at the President’s office inside the presidential Villa, Abuja with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa leading the Service Chiefs and other military and paramilitary heads.

The sources said the FEC meeting, earlier scheduled for 12 noon was moved to 2 pm before it was finally called off as some Ministers who had already arrived for the Villa were seen departing the Council Chambers Presidential Villa venue.

Before this time, only few ministers had actually arrived for the FEC expected to discuss issues around the ongoing nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest as well as the President’s bold move to pacify Nigerians through his Sunday national broadcast.

Insiders, who did not disclosed the meeting’s full agenda, hinted that the Council would have importantly reviewed the protest and determine the way forward as the federal government seek to address the economic hardship and convince the protesters to end their action.

However, Forefront News learnt the President’s sudden change of mind and decision to summon a security meeting is connected to the protesters’ refusal to back down from their action despite his appeal for dialogue.

Also attending the security meeting are Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun among others

The President in his Sunday’s national broadcast had pleaded with the protest organizers to suspend their action given that it had assumed violent dimensions in some states with the attendant loss of lives and destruction of property.

While acknowledging that he has heard the grievances of the protesters loud and clear, President Tinubu however warned that the government would not tolerate a situation where some people are manipulated by opposition politicians to truncate democracy in the country.