Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson, asserted that no authority has the right to prevent Nigerians from engaging in peaceful protests....For More READ THE FULL STORY▶▶
During his appearance on ‘Politics on Sunday’ on Television Continental (TVC) with Femi Akande, Ngelale emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to serving Nigerians, not dominating them.
According to Within Nigeria, a youth-led nationwide protest is scheduled to begin on August 1.
“We have heard certain statements from members of our administration and some regional entities suggesting that Nigerians do not have the right to protest and that they would be stopped,” Ngelale stated. “I want to be very clear: no one in our administration has the authority to tell any Nigerian citizen that they cannot peacefully protest. We are here to serve our people, not dominate them. This is the president’s stance. President Bola Tinubu firmly believes that peaceful protest is a fundamental part of a functioning democracy.”
Ngelale stressed that anyone within the government who opposes the right to peaceful protest is at odds with the president, who will defend this right.
“Anyone within the government who believes we are here to dominate rather than serve, and who opposes Nigerians’ right to peaceful protest, is positioning themselves against the president, who will defend this right,” he said.
Addressing the country’s economic challenges, Ngelale said the president is dedicated to reviving Nigeria’s economy despite the inherited difficulties. He urged citizens to be patient as the administration’s comprehensive plan to improve living standards takes time to show results.
Ngelale highlighted various government initiatives, including a new minimum wage, low-interest loans for MSMEs, infrastructure upgrades, and social programs. He noted that these efforts might take time to manifest tangible benefits. “We have over 300 roadways under reconstruction across all states, and major projects like the superhighway from Lagos to Calabar and the Badagry to Sokoto highway. Additionally, $1 billion is currently being spent on seaport reconstruction across the eastern and western seaports,” he said.
“These projects are creating direct employment and setting the stage for a prosperous future supported by infrastructure that enhances foreign direct investment, which the president is vigorously pursuing.”
Ngelale added that the administration is responsible for ensuring efficient implementation of policies at all levels to avoid bureaucratic delays and administrative incompetence.
He mentioned ongoing social programs and praised officials like Yemi Cardoso, the Central Bank governor, for their efforts in resolving significant financial issues. “For example, the CBN Governor is working on clearing a $7 billion foreign exchange backlog, which greatly impacts investor confidence and the monetary landscape, even if it’s not immediately visible,” Ngelale explained.
Ngelale also commended the recent Supreme Court ruling granting financial independence to local governments, calling it a “practical form of restructuring” that will benefit citizens over time.…For More READ THE FULL STORY▶▶
