Traditional rulers want Nigerians to shelve their protest planned for 1 to 15 August.
The monarchs called for calm after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.
They said the president briefed them on the federal government’s policies and programs.
But they also said a protest could destabilize Nigeria and lead to looting.
“For the very first time, the traditional rulers were properly engaged in terms of the plans of government and governance, their achievements so far, and where they are having challenges,” the Ooni of Ife, Enitan Ogunwusi, said.
“People that are out there to protest, it is their civic right, but let them put a face to it and don’t let it be hijacked by people who have ulterior motives. That is our stand,” he continued.
“We traditional rulers are not engaged in people, especially the youths, coming out to start looting to start breaking down law and order, we condemn such act fully.”
Other traditional rulers who spoke to journalists after the meeting restated the Ooni’s fear that a protest could lead to destruction. They include the Dein of Agbor, Ikechukwu Gbenoba, and the Emir of Zauzau, Ahmed Bamalli
“This protest; I know that it’s catching you very high in your neck but if you give us the chance, let us not destroy our own country,” said the Dein of Agbor.
“Let’s go home. Let’s continue to strive the best we can, and continue to work with the government to see if we can proffer some solutions.”
Notices for a two-week protest have been circulating among young people tired of rising inflation, the weakening naira, the closure of companies, the dissipation of economic opportunities, and government policy inconsistencies.
They have been posting on social media with the hashtag #EndBadGovernance.
The planned protests are coming just weeks after Kenyan youth protests led to the repeal of a finance law that increased taxes in the East African nation.
The protesters marched to the country’s parliament in a protest that enjoyed widespread support and international media coverage.
President Uhuru Kenyatta sacked his cabinet after the protests but some youths in the country, unsatisfied, have been calling for his resignation.
