…as pro-democracy groups, others fear violence
As the August 1st date for the proposed mass protest against bad governance draws closer, opponents of the move have increased mobilization against it.
This is coming amidst an ongoing emergency meeting convened by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, with Ministers and Heads of Security agencies, in Abuja, targeted at scuttling it.
As party of efforts to douse growing tensions, pro-democracy activists under the aegis of The Forum for the Sustainance of Democracy, have appealed to promoters of the proposed protest to shelve the event in the interest of peace.
Spokesperson for the forum, Hon. Abdulrahman Buba Kwaccham, in an address in Abuja, on Wednesday, said negotiations and dialogue remain the most civilized way of resolving disputes in sane climes.
READ ALSO: Senate passes N70,000 Minimum Wage Bill
Kwaccham said, “In these turbulent times of uncertainty, there is a growing call for peaceful protests, especially from our youth, seeking change and unity.
“Yet, history reminds us of the risks involved when hijacking such movements by those seeking to sow chaos and discord.
“We must recognize that any distruption of law and order will only worsen our already challenging economic situation, further intensifying the suffering endured by our people.
“We must engage in constructive dialogue and seek lasting solutions to the socio-economic issues that plague the nation.
“I urge parents, community leaders and influencers to guide our youths away from destructive paths and towards constructive engagements for the betterment of our beloved Nigeria.
“Together, we must unite to protect the peace and stability of our nation, for there is no other land but Nigeria that we can call our own.
“ I implore our leaders- political, religious and traditional -to collaborate effectively with the government and devise a comprehensive blueprint for dialogue that addresses the pressing issues facing our country, ensuring a brighter future for all Nigerians.”
The protest, which has garnered significant attention on social media, is scheduled to take place across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
However, while opposition parties consider the protest as an inalienable right of citizens, the ruling party argue that the protest was a ploy by the opposition to take power through subterfuge.
Vanguard Newspaper
