A group under the aegis of Coalition of Genuine Civil Society Organization and Rights Activists (CSO) has queried an alleged spirited effort of government to blackmail the organizers of the peaceful #EndBadGovernance in Nigeria protest, through deliberate promotion of twisted narratives.
Addressing newsmen at a world press conference in Lagos on the Nationwide Peaceful Protest scheduled to hold between August 1-10,2024, the coalition raised posers about the needless cry of the power that be across the federation on the likelihood of a hijack or the possibility of the protest turning violent.
The Convener of the Coalition Comrade Declan Ihekaire from Activists for Good Governance (AGG) maintained that it beats his imagination that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who practically taught him the nitty-gritty of protest could at this critical stage of life, make clear moves to change the narratives against a genuine protest.
“We wish to make clear that the narrative that the protest will lead to violence and destruction of lives and properties is simply a figment of the imagination of the governments and agents against the planned peaceful protests.
“This is not the first time Nigerians have protested peacefully in this country.
“In fact, since the pre-independence period, the Nigerian people have established an enviable record of organizing peaceful well-organized and coordinated protests on various socio-economic issues.
“We hereby respectfully ask the government at all levels to stop creating unnecessary tension in the polity through the various scare tactics and intimidation going round.
“The few occasions protests have led to riot and violence in this country, the government and security agencies have always had hand in it.
The group recounts how the EndSARS protest which started on a peaceful note turned violent, stating unequivocally that government and agents of the ruling party fuelled the violence having mobilized thugs wielding dangerous weapons conveyed in government-owned vehicles to attack peaceful protesters.
According to Ihekaire, President Tinubu ought to have used presidential fiat to attend to the needs of the people and not to repress them, as evidently portrayed by his body language.
“The #EndBadGovernance in Nigeria protest is an emerging organic movement of the Nigerian youths and poor people activated by the terrible socio-economic reality of the country.
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“Especially the condition of hunger and hardship created by the anti-poor and neo-liberal capitalist policies of the President Tinubu administration.”
“You asked Nigerians to be patient and sacrificial but you are busy eating fat, living fat, wasting resources.
No sane mind will swallow the maltreatment meted out to them by same government that promised hope while hopelessness is the order of the day.
The protest the coalition maintained is unstoppable, as Nigerian youths are busy with preparations targeted at sustaining the agitation for the stated period, and have not under any guise nominated anyone to represent them at talks with government either at federal or sub-national level.
It also took a swipe at the Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu whom they alleged recently met with some CSOs and personalities over the planned protest.
“We wish to let the whole world know that these so-called CSOs do not represent the #EndBadGovernance in Nigeria protests.
“As such the plan to use them to disorient, destabilize and demobilize the planned protest has failed totally.
“Instead of engaging in frivolities of organizing meetings with fake CSOs or trying to use ‘Oro festival’ and order subterfuge to intimidate protesters from coming out.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu and other states governors who are doing same should be preparing to receive hungry and angry Nigerians cum Lagosians come 1st August 2024.”
“A government that represses its citizens rights of expression, peaceful assembly as enshrined in the constitution is definitely a panicky one, ruling the people out of known democratic norms, hence such government under any guise is highly undemocratic.”
Members of the coalition are Comrade Kushimo Olumuyiwa from Foundation for Justice, Comrade Funmi Jolaade Ajayi from Community Women Initiative, Comrade Ekundayo Shoyoye Secretary of the Yoruba Revolutionary Movement.
Others are Comrade Olatunde Owoeye wise from the Committee for Physically Challenged, Comrade Ibrahim Oluwatobiloba, Mrs. Bolaji Komolafe, and Comrade Lawal Adewale all took turns to corroborate the stand of the coalition, stating preparedness to ensure the protest was not infiltrated by compromised personalities.