A coalition of civil society organisations have lend their voices to the call for peace and unity of purpose as the dateline for the proposed #Endbadgovernance nationwide protest commences on Thursday, 1st August 2024.
The group said rather than resorting to protest that could degenerate to violence, such as the magnitude being anticipated to be staged across the country, dialogue with the government should be a better tool to deploy to avoid escalation into volitile state.
The groups include Centre for Civil - Relations, Open Dialogue and Development (C-CODED), led by Ambassador Austin Peacemaker, Initiative for Economic and Leadership Watch in Nigeria, led by Splendour Agbonkpolor, Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiative, Chris Ofomhi, Civil Society Groups for Good Governance, led by Ogakwu Dominic and Restore Nigeria Initiative led by Victor, Itsede.
In his address to the gathering in Abuja Nigeria's Capital, Ambassador Austin Peacemaker, pointed out that "the World Press Conference is a clarion call on the good people of Nigeria to shun any form of violent protest being instigated by some unpatriotic Nigerians in order to preserve our nation's future"
He said it is important that citizens raise concerns over national economic and security issues from every work of life but in doing so, citizens must also upholds the integrity and unity of the nation.
"We stand in solidarity with every Nigerian facing the harsh realities of economic hardship, hunger, and frustration but calls on citizens to acknowledge that resorting to violent protest, particularly one of such magnitude is not the solution as several countries are in ruins struggling to be on their feet again in the aftermath of violence"
We call on the youths to channel their energy towards constructive dialogue and peaceful engagement by swaying those who seek to exploit their frustrations for their own gain" stated Austin Peacemaker.
Initiative for Economic and Leadership Watch in Nigeria, led by Splendour Agbonkpolor, said the reason for the protest can easily become counter productive if the people are allowed to be used as instrument of pepatrating violence.
Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiative, Chris Ofomhi, Calls on the government to look into the grievance of the citizens and the hardship being face inorder to avoid plunging into a state of anarchy. He appealed for calm and dialogue approach pointing out that we only have one country and it is our responsibility to also build it.
Mr. Ogakwu Dominic, said it is the right of every citizen to protest when they are aggrieved but no one should be used as an element of destruction in excersing their rights.
Restore Nigeria Initiative led by Victor, Itsede toed the line of his coleagues advocating for a violent free approach to registering displeasure and the plight of citizens, while calling on all youths to avoid being used by any political class, groups or individuals to cause violence.
As a result of the current economic hardship being experienced across the country, some group of Nigerians decided to register their displeasure through the protest tagged #Endbadgovernance.
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