Protest: Declare a day for dialogue, Group tells FG

Aare Oladotun Hassan, President, Yoruba Council Worldwide, has reacted to the #EndBadGovernance protest against hunger and rising cost of living currently ongoing. Some Nigerians had scheduled the protest to call on President Bola Tinubu-led government to look into their plight. According to the organisers, it was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration. However, the protest […]

Aare Oladotun Hassan, President, Yoruba Council Worldwide, has reacted to the #EndBadGovernance protest against hunger and rising cost of living currently ongoing.

Some Nigerians had scheduled the protest to call on President Bola Tinubu-led government to look into their plight.

According to the organisers, it was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration.

However, the protest which commenced early Thursday, has resulted in deaths and destruction of properties that could be valued at hundreds of millions of naira.

At least 14 people were killed in major cities of some states while the demonstrations were being held.

Besides, hoodlums took advantage of the protest to loot valuable items belonging to both public and private entities.

This occurred despite multiple appeals from federal and state governments, traditional and religious leaders, and other stakeholders who had called for cancellation of the protest, or high level of restraint where it is held.

Weighing in on the situation, Hassan, who is also Secretary General, Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities Leaders Council, in a statement, urged the President Bola Tinunu-led administration to declare a day for national dialogue across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The statement, titled, ‘Our fundamental stands on nationwide protest/constitutional demands’, read in part: “We have watched with keen interest the ongoing declared Nationwide Protest #EndBadGovernance #DayofRage across some cities in Nigeria today 1st August, 2024.

“We acknowledge the fundamental rights of the protesters, perhaps not an open ending, hence the need to ensure peace, sanity, security and public policy.

“Protest has produced no good children in history other than violence, breakdown of laws and orders, brigandage, breach of public peace, unrest, malicious damages to properties and most gruesome deaths.

“Having regards to #ENDSARS cum recent Kenyan protests and its concomitant gruesome consequences, we must strike a balance to “rights”. The  proponents of protest need to equally respect the rights of those not interested vice-versa, consequently the right to protest is no collective right, but individual rights.

“The rights of those people who believe not in protest must as well be recognized and protected.

“However, based on verified reports this protest has led to massive lootings and attacks in Kano, Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna and Killing in Niger State.

“Whilst protest is ongoing, the protesters should not impugn on the rights of anti-protest citizens to free movement, free business and daily transaction atmosphere feat-free. Fellow Compatriots, let us embrace peace and end the violence and protests. Together, we can find solutions through dialogue and cooperation. Our unity is our strength.

“Peace has no alternative and the same is non negotiable. Anything capable of jeopardizing “peace” must not be given a trial. I submit that the government should  make a specific date a day of dialogue across the 36 states/FCT and make guidelines and robust laws regulating protest and peaceful assembly in our country.”