Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, raised concerns on Monday, suggesting that certain political factions may be aiming to leverage the upcoming August 1 to 10 #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest as a subtle coup d’état to instigate the military into overthrowing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Amidst these discussions, the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain emphasized his belief that no political figure could revive Nigeria’s struggling economy within a year.
Fayose shared these sentiments during an appearance on Monday’s broadcast of Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He mentioned, “There is a perception suggesting this protest is akin to a coup. Such notions are widespread. There are insinuations that this could be a ploy to incite military intervention. If you’re attentive, you’ll notice the signs.”
“No leader would permit the toppling of their government. It’s encouraging that even Asiwaju has acknowledged the importance of protests. However, protesters must be aware of the risks associated with politicizing the movement.
“Turning around a country in a year is unfeasible. Let’s move past all the APC and PDP discussions. I’m not here to defend anyone. When your financial state is dire, change is challenging. Transforming Nigeria back to its original state or tackling the situation swiftly isn’t straightforward. I stand by my words.”
The slated demonstration from August 1 to 15 has stirred tension and varied reactions among Nigerians.
Several groups expressing interest in spearheading the campaign cited the surging living costs and economic struggles in the nation as drivers for the protest.
Expanding on his stance, the former governor cautioned that both the government and protesters must display restraint to prevent the situation from escalating.
He emphasized that stakeholders and political figures would not idly witness the country descending into chaos.
“Both sides need to exercise caution. During my tenure as Ekiti governor, I was vocal in holding the federal government accountable. However, I never incited actions that could endanger the nation. We must proceed with care. We’re at a critical juncture.
“It doesn’t matter if we protest. Post-protest, the circumstances often remain unchanged. If Jonathan is inadequate, Buhari is flawed, and Asiwaju isn’t the solution, we confront a fundamental issue. Asiwaju alone cannot perform miracles.”
“We can’t ignore the imminent threat to the nation. The situation is critical, very critical. Allow me to illustrate. When an aircraft is preparing to land and an emergency arises, there are specific altitudes it must reach for a safe landing. Otherwise, a crash is inevitable. Let’s hope Nigeria doesn’t crash,” he asserted.