Civil society groups, the Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Conference of Nigeria Civil Rights Activists (CNCRA) have distanced themselves from the proposed nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, 2024, declaring that this will not solve any problem.
The groups, led by their Ondo State Chairmen, Nester Taiwo for CD, and Raphael Dada for CNCRA, said the organisers of the protest did not put them in confidence during planning as such, they cannot enjoy their groups’ support and participation.
Addressing journalists in Akure, the state’s capital alongside their group members, CD/CNCRA further hinted that the organisers have remained faceless and obscure to the people of Nigeria.
“There is every possibility that the protest would be hijacked by hoodlums and miscreants, hence, we strongly advise the protesters to sheath their swords and give peace a chance.
“We are persuaded that there cannot be a peaceful demonstration that can avoid the risk of being hijacked by unsuspecting hoodlums and miscreants which may lead to avoidable loss of lives and properties,” the groups said.
CD/CNCRA further said they were aware of the present economic hardship in the country occasioned by the fuel subsidy which was unavoidably removed on day one of President Bola Tinubu’s government.
They noted however that, “It is not in our practice to engage the establishment in protest without due consultation and dialogue with the government. This is ongoing with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Hon. Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunnmi Tunji Ojo.”
“We should bear in mind that Nigerians had earlier been briefed by President Bola Tinubu that the subsidy had been removed by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari before handing over to him.
“We are also conversant with the fundamental human rights of individuals as contained in the 1999 constitution as amended, the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, and the United Nations Declaration on Human and People’s Rights which guarantees the citizenry their rights to peaceful protest.
“Much as we cannot hold brief for any establishment/government, it is a law of natural justice to state very clearly the unprecedented, plausible, and laudable achievements of the extant government within a short period of fourteen months which include local government autonomy, employment of youths into NSCDC, Correctional Center, and Immigration and massive promotion cannot be denied by this government and minimum wage increment.
“Drawing from the above, it is logical for all of us as stakeholders to exercise patience against the background of an economy that was near total collapse before the advent of the extant administration.
“Our son, Tunji Ojo has done tremendously well, with effective performance he deserves our prayerful support, not rewarding him with protest,” the groups said.
They then directed all their members in the state to shun anyone or approach to join the proposed protest. “We implore them and the good people of Ondo State to go on with their lawful businesses.
“We are proud to tell you, particularly in Ondo state, that the national body of Campaign for Democracy, CD, and Conference of Nigeria Civil Rights Activists, CNCRA, are already engaging the Federal Government on the best way to ameliorate the pains we are all going through.”
