CITIZENS COMPASS–The leadership of frontline security news association, the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) has called on Nigerian youths who are ready to start a nationwide protest across the federation tomorrow 1st August 2024 to do so with every sense of decency and responsibility for the country. The security news beat association also called on them to seek dialogue with government as the best way to get positive outcomes from the protest noting that the planned protest has begun to yield good results even before its official start date and prayed the youths to tread with caution so as not to reverse the trend.
The statement signed by the National President of the association, Mr Oki Samson, noted that ‘protests, as a way to air one’s grievances, are a strong element of democracy which are also enshrined in the Constitution for all citizens to make their voices heard. In all known democracies, protests have played an immense role in development. Nigeria is not different as protests have been an integral part of our development from the military era into civil rule.’
‘While protests are encouraged, they must however be peaceful, calm, organized, and with notable leaders at the forefront. A faceless and leaderless protest may often be hijacked by people who are not interested in the good of the populace. This is why dialogue is the way forward after the streets.’
Since the idea of the protests was mooted about three weeks ago, NAOSNP noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had signed the minimum wage bill, ordered that a bag of rice be sold at N40,000, and ended the NNPCL/Dangote refinery saga with the direct sale of crude oil in naira to the Nigerian-based refinery, approved the establishment of FCTA Youth Secretariat, students loan among other good initiatives. These recent moves by the Federal Government are bound to bring succor to Nigerians in the long run. Therefore, the association urged the youths to ensure that their intended action yielded more positive outcomes and not allow their demonstration to be hijacked.
The association stated: ‘While it is the constitutional right of every Nigerian to protest, there is nowhere in the constitution enshrined that violence, looting, arson and mindless destruction are features of protest. Anything other than peaceful protest is a crime. Protesters who go out of line to attack citizens, loot businesses, burn social infrastructure, and destroy our commonwealth will face the full weight of the law.’
The association called on the protesting youths to watch and fish out with their marshals those nefarious elements who want to infiltrate them to cause harm, and destruction and paint them in bad image. It also urged security agencies especially the Nigeria Police not to relent in their duty to protect lives and properties in this tense period. They urged the Nigeria Police to deploy the friendly approach adopted by the Lagos State Command during the recent protest conducted by the Nigeria Labour Congress some months ago.
In the same vein, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), whose duty is to protect critical infrastructure must live up to expectations; mount their duty post, and ensure that no vandal comes close to national installations.
The Nigerian Immigration and Customs must parade the borders to ensure no illegal immigrants stray into the country, ensuring no arms, weapons or ammunition find their way into the country.
The association maintains that while the country is in dire need of direction, this is not the time to throw blame and play ethnic cards; it’s a time for responsibility. It is important to note that joining a protest is by choice, and no one should be forced, threatened, or cajoled to join.
The protesters must also understand that it is not in the interest of the nation or its citizens to hold a protest for 10 straight days. It’s inimical to economic and social growth.
We must all avoid a repeat of the October 2020 #EndSars protest, the 2011 post-election crisis in the north, the 2023 election crisis, and many crises the nation has experienced that led to massive detention and deaths.
