Ahead of the planned nationwide protest on August 1st, 2024, the Nigerian Forum for the Sustenance of Democracy (NFSD) has called on the organizers to engage in constructive dialogue with the federal government instead of protesting.
At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, NFSD President Hon. Abdulrahman Buba Kwaccham emphasized the importance of maintaining order.
“We must recognize that any disruption of law and order will worsen our already challenging economic situation, further intensifying the suffering endured by our people,” he said.
Kwaccham said we must engage in constructive dialogue and seek lasting solutions to the socio-economic issues that plague our nation.”
While appealing to parents, community leaders, and influencers, Kwaccham urge you to guide our youth away from destructive paths and towards constructive engagement for the betterment of our beloved Nigeria.
“Together, we must unite to protect the peace and stability of our nation, for there is no other land but Nigeria that we call our own.
“I implore all our leaders – political, religious, and traditional – to collaborate effectively with the government and devise a comprehensive blueprint for dialogue that addresses the pressing issues facing our country, ensuring a brighter future for all Nigerians.
“Let us face the truth, however uncomfortable it may be, and use our wisdom and unity to guide the next generation in building a stronger, more united Nigeria,” he said .
Hon. Alfa Nma, President of the North Youth Leaders’ Forums, echoed Kwaccham’s sentiment against protests. “There’s no country that doesn’t have internal issues,” he said.
“Protests are not the solution. We should come together for a roundtable discussion with the federal government to resolve this hardship internally.”
“We know there are people who want to destabilize our country. They should understand that what happened in another country cannot happen in Nigeria. We need to be realistic.”
He claimed the North Central region will not participate in the forthcoming protest said “The population of 1 million cannot be compared to 250 million. We should be aware of this.”
Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi, National Coordinator of the Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative, argued against the protest. “Nigerians are not ready for this planned protest.
“We all know the state of the economy when it was handed over to President Tinubu.
“We should remember that many things have improved under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.”
Ruth Isa, Forum Welfare Director of the group, representing women, urged mothers to discourage their children from participating in the protest.
“Protests are not the only solution to our problems and those sponsoring the protest should send their children to protest, not the common man on the streets.”