Protest: Deji Of Akure Calls For Faith In Tinubu As Katsina Group Backs Out
The Deji of Akure Kingdom in Ondo State, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade, has appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience and faith in the Bola Tinubu-led administration in the face of the current socioeconomic challenges.
Plans for a nationwide protest over the harsh economic conditions in the country have reached a crescendo on social media as organisers put the final touches on the demonstration billed to begin on August 1, 2024.
But in Abeokuta, the Ogun State on Saturday shortly after meeting with former president Olusegun Obasanjo at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library residence and the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egba land, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo in his palace, the monarch called for patience.
The first-class monarch explained that Tinubu who is just one year in office needs more time to address and lessen the nation’s economic hardship facing by Nigerians.
‘Fully Withdraw’
Meanwhile, the Katsina Concerned Citizens for Good Governance alongside its over 30 affiliate organisations has backed out of the planned nationwide protest.
“The security and well-being of every Nigerian should be paramount, and urgent action is required to restore peace and order,” the group’s chairman Yakub Muhammad, and secretary Abbas Yusuf said in a statement on Saturday.
“We pray for wisdom and discernment for our leaders, resilience and hope for our citizens and divine intervention to guide us through these difficult times. We stand in solidarity with the citizens of our noble state during these challenging times of economic hardship and pervasive hunger.
“We recognize and deeply sympathize with the pain, anger, and frustration that many of our fellow citizens in our dear state and nation are experiencing. The cries of the people underscore the severe difficulties faced daily as families struggle to afford basic necessities and sustain their livelihoods.
“As we are approaching this period of crisis, it is imperative to uphold the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to peacefully protest and express their grievances. The right to assemble and voice dissatisfaction is a cornerstone of our democracy and must be protected and respected by all. Peaceful protests are a powerful tool for civic engagement, allowing the populace to communicate their concerns and hold leaders accountable.
“However, the anxiety related to the impending protests is heightening, especially given the volatile experiences in other countries like Kenya and Bangladesh. We must also draw from our recent history. The #ENDSARS and other protests, though rooted in genuine grievances, were marred by tragic incidents where miscreants hijacked the process.
“This led to widespread looting, destruction of properties, and unfortunate loss of lives. These experiences have shown us that mass demonstrations can quickly degenerate into chaos if not properly managed and coordinated. It is on this view that, the Katsina Concerned Citizens for Good Governance affiliated orrganisations unanimously agreed to announce our decision to fully withdraw from the organized nationwide protest scheduled to hold on August 1st, 2024.”
