PRESS STATEMENT: ON THE PROPOSED PROTEST

Synopsis

• Nigeria will survive, let’s be calm
• Please stop the threat from the security agencies.
• citizens also are guilty of complicity if government fails

Mr. President, l urge you to stop the ongoing threats emanating from security agencies on the proposed protest. All you need to do is to engage Nigerians and plead for understanding . You actually need to inform them of the efforts you are putting up to ameliorate the hardships they are going through as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the Naira.

I have followed with keen interest, government’s reaction to the planned protest by Nigerians on August 1, 2024.

Mr. President, for those of us who had played one role or the other in the recent past in protests organised by Civil Society organisations and organised Labour movement, l believed that protesters hardly nurse any plan to act violently or embark on reckless activities during such protests. Rather, what I’ve observed is that governments, through the security agencies or other…. is usually culpable for protests turned violent. Therefore, all that the government needs to do – at this critical stage of the anger of the people, who are determined to take to the streets to vent their frustration, is to show understanding and empathy with the people’s plight.

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Thia is because, no citizen in his or her right mind, would set out to cause disorderliness and destruction of properties or infrastructures built with taxpayers’ money.

It smacks of sheer intolerance, government out of share intolerance to allow people to speak to exercise their constitutional rights that always embark on using force to suppress peoples voices which on many occasions had proved offensive and counter productive.

At this junture, Mr. President, my appeal as a leader of the people and notable pro – democracy activist and veteran of many struggles – who had led many protests in this country is to be more proactive in responding to agitations in a manner that would disarm the enermy of progress, which will prove to the opposition that you understand the game and care about the people you are governing.

This would enhance your dignity as a politician who understands what good leadership is all about and the dynamics of effective statecraft.

Mr. President I believed that the prompt action taken on Dangote refinery is an indication that you meant well .A decision that is being applauded in many quarters as a step in the right direction.

Your release of discounted rice is also a commendable step. Though there is need to prevent this largesee from the usual misappropriation by unscrupulous Nigerians.

Flooding the market with rice and other essential products at discounted rates should be done to break the cartel, who are profiteering by inflicting hardships on citizens.

If all these measures had been taken with the recent salary increase, the hope of the people would have come alive and mellowed down the anger and associated agitation.

As a matter of fact, this is not actually the period to put out security agencies on protest – suppressing mission. Some of who have been threatening innocent souls, simply because they are protesting the injustices placed on the them. Those shouting on top of their voices chanting violence as a result of peaceful protest, should be put under the searchlight and questioned if the protest turns awry.

Democracy is the government of the people by the people and for the people. Government agents should not and must not be seen warring with the same people they are employed to protect.

Nigeria and its citizens will survive this period. For this to happen,
the leadership must be willing to shoulder most of the sacrifices , while the governed should also admit the fact that not only President Tinubu is guilty of bad governance. State Governors, local government authorities, and the legislature are culpable at various levels.

We the followers, too, are complicit . We have in failed in our responsibility as good citizens. We have failed to do what is right or at the right time, at our various duty posts.

Let us bail our country out of the current mess through collective efforts and not through security brutality to muzzle dissenting voices.

Lanre Ogundipe
Former President
Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ
July 30, 2024.
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