President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been urged by former President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Prince Lanre Ogundipe, to ensure that security agents do not threaten or intimidate protesters during the upcoming August 1 protest.
Ogundipe conveyed this advice through a statement released on Tuesday, as reported by NewsNow.
The protest, scheduled to address issues of widespread hunger and bad governance, is set to take place nationwide on August 1.
In his statement, Ogundipe recommended that Tinubu put a stop to the threats coming from security agencies regarding the planned protest.
He emphasized that the President should engage with citizens and seek understanding rather than resorting to threats from security personnel.
Furthermore, Ogundipe maintained that had the grievances of the people been addressed earlier, there might not have been a need for a protest.
He asserted the citizens’ right to peaceful protest and questioned those who anticipated potential disruptions, stating that the protest is intended to be peaceful.
Encouraging Tinubu to address the ongoing concerns, Ogundipe suggested that efforts to alleviate the hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidy and currency devaluation should be communicated effectively to the populace.
Reflecting on past experiences in civil protests, Ogundipe expressed his belief that protesters typically do not harbor violent intentions but mentioned that government actions often contribute to escalations during protests.
He called for empathy from the government towards the frustrations of the people, emphasizing the need for measures to alleviate the challenges faced by citizens.
Ogundipe recommended that affordable essential products should be made available in the market to counteract profit-driven exploitation and highlighted the importance of alleviating the people’s suffering.
He cautioned against excessive use of security forces to suppress protests, emphasizing the essence of democracy where the government is meant to serve and protect its citizens.
Ogundipe stressed the collective responsibility in addressing governance challenges, calling for both leaders and followers to do their part in overcoming the current societal difficulties.