- What govts should do, by PDP, Adegboruwa
Eminent Nigerians yesterday urged youths and other citizens to pull the brakes on the ongoing nationwide #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest.
Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, Governors Godwin Obaseki (Edo) and Siminialayi Fubara (Rivers) preached calm and dialogue.
The protest was hijacked by criminals in parts of the country, with attacks on public infrastructure and killings recorded.
The Sultan-led Jama”tu Nasril Islam (JNI) appealed for restraint.
JNI, Secretary General, Prof. Khalid Aliyu, said in a Kaduna: “The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, JNI, Sa’ad Abubakar, once again appeals to the protest conveners, their covert and overt benefactors, as well as other critical stakeholders to sheath their swords and urgently come to the table for dialogue.
“We genuinely feared the escalation to an uncontrollable scenario and the reports are tilting towards that.
“Therefore, in the name of Allah, the Most High, we are calling for an end to the snowball rampaging, in the name of protests.
“We should all understand that there must be a stable country called Nigeria before we can proudly call ourselves Nigerians.”
Wike called on protesters to embrace dialogue, saying the government was ready to listen.
The minister spoke while presenting staff of office to four newly appointed graded chiefs of Karu, Kwali, Pai and Yaba in the territory.
Wike said: “Let me take this opportunity to commend the people, the youths of Abuja for not being violent. We have said severally that it is better to dialogue with the government and keep the peace.
“He who makes peace will at the end of the day enjoy the dividends of peace.
“I still want to talk to our people that we are still ready to sit down and dialogue with them and let them know things that they may not know because information is power.
“I commend the protesters in Abuja who have refused to be violent.”
Obaseki, who addressed protesters at the Secretariat Building on Sapele Road and those who converged at the Government House in Benin, said he was aware of the pains and sufferings faced by Nigerians.
He said: “As your governor, I know you are unhappy. You are hungry. I am here to let you know that any message you have for me; I will take it to Abuja to give Mr. President. The level of hunger is high and I will take your messages to Abuja.
“You say the president should reduce fuel, I will let him know. You say unionists are causing a rise in food prices. Let me know those who are troubling you; they will be arrested. We will work to ensure that food prices come down.
“We will disband ‘agberos’ (thugs) and stop their activities on our roads. You say we should fix Federal Roads and reduce electricity tariffs.
“I will take that to Abuja for the president to address. I will bring school fees down in Edo State; I don’t need the Federal Government on that.
“I have heard all you said. You demanded eight things: three I will handle myself and I will take the other five to Abuja. School fees and agberos will be reduced here in Edo. But for the price of fuel and cement; that is for Mr. President to handle.”
Fubara urged protesters to be patient as better days are coming.
He acknowledged the economic realities but said the Tinubu Administration was working to address the issues.
Fubara spoke at the gates of Government House in Port Harcourt when he addressed a group of youths who protested.
He said: “Thank you for being peaceful. I already know your problems; we will communicate them to the Federal Government.
“Our only worry is that we know a lot of people are planning to take advantage of this protest to destroy our State. But, we will not allow it.
“It is not easy, but we know quite alright that very soon, everything will be well. Starting from our own state, everything will be well.
“What we just need is for you to support the government and its policies. Implementing policies, at the beginning, must be harsh, but at the end, everything will be fine.”
Senator, ALGON seek dialogue
Also, the Chairman Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, appealed for calm and restraint amid protests.
Musa, who represents Niger East, in a statement in Abuja, said all acts of violence must cease for peace to reign.
He said: “In these trying times, I address you with a heavy heart. Our beloved nation is facing a significant crisis marked by violence, arson, and killings in cities across Nigeria.
“This wave of destruction and loss of life is deeply troubling and must stop now.
“I urge every citizen to exercise restraint and prioritise peace. Our youths, who are the backbone of our future, must channel their energy and frustrations into constructive and peaceful endeavours.
“Violence only perpetuates a cycle of suffering and instability, undermining the progress we have worked so hard to achieve.
“Let us come together as one nation, united by our common goal of a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
“Dialogue, understanding, and cooperation are the paths we must take to address our grievances and find lasting solutions.
“I call on community leaders, parents, and young people to champion the cause of peace. It is through collective effort and mutual respect that we can rebuild our cities and heal our nation.
“Let us commit to turning this tide of violence into a movement for peace and positive change. Together, we can overcome these challenges and secure a brighter future for all Nigerians.”
The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), also urged protesters to embrace embrace dialogue.
Alhaji Aminu Maifata, National President of ALGN and Chairman, of Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, said at a briefing: “We are aware of the numerous policies and programmes of the Tinubu Administration and the ones initiated by the governors to chart a new course and attract economic prosperity for the citizenry.
“The recent financial autonomy granted to the 774 local government areas, championed by this administration through the judgment of the Supreme Court, is a step toward transforming the country.
“This will restore the dignity, capacity and ability of the LGAs to carry out their constitutional responsibilities by providing basic and necessary services to the people at the grassroots.
“As chairmen, we understand the frustration and grievances that have led to the call for protest, however, we believe that dialogue and collaboration will yield more positive results.
“So, let’s embrace dialogue and work together toward a more prosperous and equitable Nigeria, where local government areas are truly empowered to serve their communities.”
Adegboruwa urges govt to initiate talks
Activist-lawyer and counsel for the Take it Back Movement, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), urged the government to initiate dialogue.
Hailing the protest as peaceful, he praised the resilience of citizens who came out to protest despite what he called threats.
He urged law enforcement agencies to follow acceptable standards of handling civil protests, in such a way as to avoid bloodshed or loss of lives.
Urging the government to facilitate dialogue, Adegboruwa said: “By now, I expect that the federal and state governments would have set up the machinery for genuine and meaningful dialogue with the protesters, with a view to addressing the issues raised in their demands.
“It will be the height of leadership insensitivity for the governing to remain silent and pretend that all is well.”
He urged Wike and governors who secured court orders restricting protesters to particular locations to provide vehicles to convey them to such places.
“In addition, the government should urgently identify and hold accountable any police or law enforcement officer that may have been found culpable of violating the rights of the peaceful protesters, especially in locations where it has been reported that protesters were wounded and shot dead.
“I urge the organisers of the nationwide protests to continue in the same peaceful manner that we have all witnessed today (yesterday) and to refrain from all actions that may lead to violence or a breakdown of law and ord
“I urge Nigerians to continue to show support and solidarity for the peaceful protests as part of the strategy to liberate our dear country from the hunger, suffering and bad governance forcefully imposed upon us by those who were elected to better our lives, but who have turned around to do the opposite.
A people united can never be defeated.”
PDP seeks review of policies
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the protest could have been avoided if the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government had taken its advice and “dropped its arrogance, insensitivity and show sincere commitment to the citizens by taking steps to address the current hardship occasioned by its ill-implemented policies.”
National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said in a statement: “Any people-oriented government ought to have been wary of the suffocating effect of the hasty and ill-implemented twin policies of abrupt increase in the price of petroleum products and arbitrary floating of the Naira without due cushioning measures to ensure the wellbeing of the people.
“The PDP restates that these thoughtless policies of the APC administration are responsible for the crippling of the productive sector with the crashing of the Naira to over N1,500 to a Dollar, fuel soaring to over N1,000 per litre, which in turn triggered high costs of goods and services with over 34 per cent inflation rate, over 40 per cent unemployment rate with the closure of millions of businesses and mass exodus of major multi-national companies from our country…
“What Nigerians expect at this time is for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally address the nation, announce major policy reviews and order an investigation into the alleged looting of subsidy and palliative funds.
“Mr. President should also review all luxury items and purchases in the APC government and channel the resources for immediate intervention in the provision of food and other essential commodities to Nigerians.”
NBA offer free legal support
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) offered pro-bono (free) legal services to protesters whose rights may be violated.
Its President, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), directed chairmen/chairpersons of the 130 NBA branches to ensure that their human rights committees take up “observed or reported cases of breach of fundamental rights of any citizen, harassment, intimidation or torture perpetrated by law enforcement agents, the protesters or other identified members of the public in the course of the protest”.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Habeeb Lawal, said the branches were also directed to set up Situation Monitoring Committees (SMC) to report activities and interactions between law enforcement agents and protesters.
“To this end, an online Monitoring Form has been provided, and it can be accessed from the link https://rb.gy/q5xqg7.
“Members of the SMC and other members of the NBA engaged in the monitoring exercise are encouraged to complete the form and submit same for NBA’s record and further action where necessary.
“To ensure effective coordination of this endeavour, the NBA has established Legal Support Services Teams across the country headed by the First Vice President of the NBA, Mrs. Linda Rose Bala; the Chairman NBA-SPIDEL, Sir Steve Adehi (SAN); and the Chairman, NBA Human Rights Institute, Mr. Chinonye Obiagwu (SAN).
“The NBA President has also written to the Inspector General of Police to collaborate with the NBA in this regard.
“As the protest commences August 1, 2024, the NBA wishes to encourage citizens, including members of the NBA who are joining the protest to exercise their right peacefully and within the bounds of the law.
“The security agencies are also urged to be professional and observe human rights in their duty to enforce the law.”
