Protest: Monarchs, States Rise Against Violent Action

Traditional rulers yesterday appealed to those planning a protest to be wary of actions that can plunge the country into anarchy.

They spoke with reporters after a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The monarchs were led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

Ooni, co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, urged protesters to exercise their civic rights peacefully.

“It’s their civic right, but let them put a face to it and don’t let it be hijacked by people that have ulterior motives. That is our stand.

“It is very difficult to build, but it is the easiest to destroy.

“We are all stakeholders of this country, we should be stronger as a nation together, than stronger individually.

“The President has said it and he will continue to say it, any leader that you don’t like, wait and vote him out. He is open to dialogue.

“We know that challenges are so many in Nigeria, but are we going to destroy our nation by ourselves? Is that what we’re all after?

“We should talk to ourselves. The government, ably led by the President, is willing to engage and dialogue and bring governance very close to the people,” Oba Ogunwusi said.

Dein of Agbor, Keagborekuzi Ikenchuku Gbenoba, appealed to youths to refrain from destructive protests, urging them to work with the government to find solutions to the country’s challenges.

He urged calm and collaboration, encouraging youths to give the government a chance to address their concerns and find solutions.

“Hearing from Mr. President directly, I can see the passion. The government understands we are at the precipice.

“Our youths are our future and I think today we’ve demonstrated that the government, with the officials, we do have the hearts of the nation in our minds, we will listen to our youths. Let us not destroy our own country,” he said.

The Emir of Zauzzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and patient, urging them to listen to the government’s plans to address the country’s challenges.

He expressed hope that the government’s blueprint would bring positive change.

“The message we are taking back to our people is to be calm, exercise patience, listen to the words of wisdom coming from the government.

“The President has given us the blueprint of what he has been doing over time and we are hopeful that by God’s grace, it will be alright,” Bamalli said.

Calls to shelve protest grows

Calls on the planners of the August 1 nationwide protest against alleged bad governance to have a rethink rose yesterday with lawmakers, groups and monarchs urging dialogue.

While Lagos State lawmakers advised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to organise town hall meetings to calm frayed nerves, Afenifere, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi and Alafin of Afin Akoko, Akoko Northwest Council in Ondo State, Oba Abdur Adejoro, advised that government should engage youths in productive activities.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets Ademorin Kuye, Baba Adinni of Lagos Sikiru Alabi-Macfoy spoke in the same vein

As the pleas echoed, the Oyo State Government convened a meeting of stakeholders to ensure the protest was conducted peacefully.

The Benue State Government announced the recruitment of 500 youths to stop the protest from holding.

The planned protest topped the agenda of the state House Assembly with members, saying the state’s experience during the 2020 #EndSARS protest, must not be repeated.

They called on Governor Sanwo-Olu to take major steps, including calling a town hall meeting to avert the planned demonstration.

The lawmakers, in a ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ tabled by Majority Leader Noheem Adams, said one of the meetings should be between the governor and elected political leaders, including those in the National Assembly.

 

The second meeting, according to him, should be with traditional rulers, religious leaders, heads of market associations, transport unions and related stakeholders.

Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said governments needed to do the needful to protect lives and property in the state.

Obasa, who remarked that Lagos was still grappling with the impact of the #EndSARS protest appealed to the youth to be patient with the government of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Lagos defends Oro adherents

Earlier, the state government dissociated itself from the Oro festival that would begin on August 1 and end on the 15th.

The government, however, explained that traditional worshipers have a right to go about their lawful practices just like adherents of other religions.

Gboyega Akosile, special adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Sanwo-Olu, said: “Oro festival is like Muslim and Christian activities and has no business with Lagos State government interference. We don’t have a hand in how any religious group goes about their lawful activities.

“The protesters have their rights just like the traditional worshippers who want to perform their activities too. What is our business in that?

“If anybody wants to protest, they should come out and carry out their right lawfully by not disrupting the business activities in the state.

“We will not allow the peace of the state to be disrupted. No responsible government will allow it.”

Afenifere, Oluwo seek dialogue

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, appealed to organisers and the government to dialogue over issues that led to the protest call.

Admitting that people have a right to protest, Afenifere said it must be done within the ambit of the law.

The group, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, said the planners needed to know that protest was not the only way to draw the government’s attention.

Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Akanbi said President Tinubu needs to invite stakeholders like Labour leaders, opposition parties and Civil Society Organisations to ‘’meeting to discuss the state of the nation and collate more ideas to address the economic hardship.’’

“I’ve strong hope in the opposition leaders to honour national dialogue and contribute intellectual ideas to national development.

“No patriotic opposition leaders will want Nigeria to be destroyed,” he stated.

Oyo stakeholders meet

Oyo State Government held a stakeholder meeting to harmonise thoughts and ensure the protest was conducted within constitutional provisions.

The stakeholders included heads of security agencies, park managers, local government chairmen and market leaders.

Fatai Owoseni, special adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security, who chaired the meeting, explained that the aim was to ensure that the protest did not assume the #EndSARS dimension.

He warned that stealing, looting, destruction of properties, obstruction of traffic flow and use of arms under any guise would not be allowed.

Commissioner Ayo Sonubi said security agencies would cooperate with the protesters and ensure the protest was not hijacked by hoodlums.

Bauchi, Benue say no to protest

However, the Bauchi State Government declared that it would not stand by and allow any protests to occur in the state.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ibrahim Kashim, warned those planning to protest in the state to reconsider their intention.

In Benue State, 500 youths have been mobilised by the government to ensure that the protest did not hold.