Protest: Group urges dialogue with Tinubu, appeals for calm

As some youths across the country insist on staging nationwide protests against the prevailing economic hardship, the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has appealed for restraint and calm. Briefing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, the Executive Director of NCSCN, Comrade Blessing Akinlosotu, urged all those planning to protest to reconsider. He expressed confidence […]

As some youths across the country insist on staging nationwide protests against the prevailing economic hardship, the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has appealed for restraint and calm.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, the Executive Director of NCSCN, Comrade Blessing Akinlosotu, urged all those planning to protest to reconsider.

He expressed confidence that the government of President Bola Tinubu has listening ears and is committed to improving the living condition of Nigerians.

He said: “It is rightfully said that a hungry man is an angry man; such anger can be easily transformed into violence, if managed by a faceless proponent, and if we are to be honest to ourselves, we are having before us the most faceless planned protest in our recent history.

“It is a fact that violence only worsens situations, often leading to uncontrollable looting, burning of properties, and destruction of vital infrastructure. Such actions do not solve our problems; instead, they create new ones and set us back in our pursuit of progress.

“We urge all those planning to protest to consider the broader implications and potential dangers and losses of their actions on our collective peace, stability, and development.

“We are confident that the Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubuhas listening ears and is committed to improving the living condition of every Nigerian as these policies were implemented out of patriotism and love for the country, requiring time to mature and yield dividends.

“It is important that we recognize the efforts the government is making to ameliorate the suffering of the people and to bring governance and dividends of democracy closer to the people and masses.

“We believe that the actualization of the Local Government Autonomy within just one year is predicated on the determination of President Tinubu’sto make sure that the dividends of democracy trickles down to the grassroots. This is an accomplishment that past government could not achieve within their entire stay in office.”

“Given the increase in allocations from the Federation Account to the states, it is crucial for Governors to deliver on their promises to the people. Their success in utilizing these funds effectively will significantly reduce the burden and tension on the federal government. Yet Nigerians are not holding the Governors accountable.

“To this end, we call on all Nigerians to exercise patience and give the government the needed time and support to implement necessary reforms and initiatives. We believe that through constructive dialogue and collaboration, we can achieve lasting changes in no distant time.”