By: Mandy Park
A Non-governmental, Pan Nigerian group, CSOs Strategists has called for caution and expressed concern over the planned 10-day civil protest scheduled to begin tomorrow, Thursday, August 1.
The coalition warned that the protest if badly managed would spell doom and cause greater hardship for the people.
While calling for restraint and wise judgement, they called on President Bola Tinubu to address the nation, and take strategic actions towards addressing the Nigerian condition.
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The group in a statement by Ahmed Balogun, Frontline Socio-economy research centre and Convener noted that “” Our group a pan Nigerian, coalition of civil society groups is a non partisan but patriotic organization.
“We held an emergency session of our members across the nooks and crannies of the country to review the state of the nation, with particular emphasis on the planned protests scheduled for 1st to 10th. August, 2024.
“”While conceding that the right to protest is universally recognized under constitutional democracy all over the world, we caution the organisers to be conscious of the fact that, this must be exercised within the ambit of the law, must be civil and, must not infringe on the rights and privileges of other citizens.
”We observed with grave concerns that combination of organizations have been spreading information on the social media and other networks on resolve to embark on protest, tagged:- #End Hunger
END BAD GOVERNMENT IN NIGERIA
“” We note that this Campaign has a lot of similitudes with protests that have degenerated into mass fiascos, mayhem and chaos in the past.
“” We express worry on the congregation of a number of forces with manifestly, sole but hidden aim to pull down the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by any means necessary.
“” These include, Oil and Gas, Banking and Finance ( Forex to be specific), Agriculture and Food Supply Chains, as well as those fuelling extortive, hyper – inflation.
“”In truth, they have constituted themselves into real spectre of Saboteurs’ Transgression. This Sabotage of our National, collective patrimony demands urgent, swift containment before it snowballs into fatal, social and economic consequences.
“” Thus, we unequivocally call for a National Alliance Against Socio-economic Saboteurs as the only lasting panacea to end hunger, hardships and crisis in our land.
“This is highly imperative if Nigeria must attain its lofty heights and citizens enjoy the benefits of present socio-economic reforms.
“”No doubt, Nigeria is abundantly blessed with minerals and natural resources. The question is, what are we doing against internal saboteurs, acting to perpetually cripple the nation ?
“”We are equally calling on President Tinubu to urgently address the country in a National Broadcast because we are at a moment in history when silence is not golden.
“” The address would afford the President, rare opportunity to connect with citizens, empathize with their plights, further explain the objectives of the reforms, and appeal for understanding and support.
“We are also unequivocally calling on the APC led Federal Government under the leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to find lasting solution to Insecurity, increment in food products and problem facing oil and gas sector by fixing oil refinery.
“” We can build a better, greater nation together.””
Other members of CSOs Strategists include among others : WorkBond International Network (WIN),
Network Alliance for Global Challenge, Good Governance for the masses, Centre for Human Rights Advocacy, Lawyers Without Borders, Abuja, Youth Initiative Agenda for Democratic Process, Southwest People Parliamentary Agenda,
Peace Initiative For Better Nigeria, Boarders People’s Rights Agenda, and
Youth League Academy
