A former senator who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, Shehu Sani, and the Coalition of Concerned Citizens of Kaduna State have cautioned Nigerians against participating in the nationwide protest scheduled for August 1st to 10th, 2024, stating that the organisers of the protest are faceless with no clear leadership direction.
Speaking separately to reporters in Kaduna, Senator Sani emphasized the importance of peaceful protest with visible leadership to avoid metamorphosing into violence that is capable of distabilizing the country.
While he acknowledged the place of peaceful protest in a democratic dispensation, the former lawmaker warned that the August planned nationwide protest does not have clear leadership, hence he asked Nigerians to shun the protest for fear that it could be marred by violence.
He noted that Nigeria is a democratic nation where people have the right to express opinions, criticize the government, and protest peacefully. But he said that protests need a purpose and a visible leader to avoid metamorphosing into violence.
Sani cited examples of protests in Kenya and Sudan, highlighting the importance of leadership in determining the outcome of protests while noting that protests without leaders could lead to chaos and anarchy.
The former lawmaker also commended the Kaduna state government’s stance on protests, stating that they would only support protests with identified leaders who could take responsibility in case of a breakdown of law and order in the country.
He emphasised the need for peaceful protests with clear leadership, citing his own experiences participating in protests with visible leaders such as President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammad Buhari, and late Balarabe Musa, among others during the military days and the 2012 Anti-subsidy protest.
“It is important that we bring back our conscience to the fact that Nigeria is a democracy. People have the right to express their opinions, criticise the government and protest peacefully.
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“I have been a protester all my life and President Bola Tinubu has also been a protester too but we were peaceful protesters. Protesters that demanded justice; protesters that demanded freedom and protesters that demanded for people’s friendly policies.
“Now, the problem we are having now is that there are issues that we need to address. A protest needs two things: firstly, it’s a purpose. Of course, its purpose is that people are suffering in the country.
“But also a protest needs a visible leader. When a protest has no leader, the tendency of that protest metamorphosing into violence is apparent.
“We are from a state that comes from the past that had experiences of violence that began with protest. So, I can say that our constitution guarantees protection for peaceful protesters but peaceful protesters can only be protected if the leaders drive the process peacefully. We cannot participate in a protest that has no leadership.
“We cannot participate in a protest that is called by spirit. We can only participate in a protest that is called by either labour or organized civil society. A protest must have an identity. If it does not have an identity, the tendency to degenerate into violence and chaos is apparent.
“Let’s take into context the protest in Kenya and that of Sudan. The protest in Kenya was people-oriented. Unfortunately over 20 people were killed but it forced the government of Kenya to bow down to the demands of the people.
“But a bad example of protest was the one that happened in Sudan where protest led to the breakdown of law and order and the decimation of security forces which later degenerated into war.”
On their part, the Coalition of Concerned Citizens of Kaduna and the coalition of nineteen northern gubernatorial candidates distanced themselves from the planned protest, describing it as “maliciously stage-managed.”
According to the Convener of the Coalition, Aliu Mohammed, the planned nationwide protest is aimed at destroying the peace and stability being enjoyed across the country.
While he acknowledged the economic hardship faced by citizens, Mohammed condemned the planned protest, citing the dangers of violence and the importance of dialogue and peace.
“The coalition, comprising stakeholders and beneficiaries of projects and developments in Kaduna State, emphasised that they have a vested interest in maintaining peace and security in the state.
“It is on this note, and fueled by genuine interest that we are poised to declare, totally reject, distance ourselves, and completely stand against this maliciously, stage-managed planned protest in Kaduna State and across the Country.
“Learning from history and previous examples, violence has never solved any problem but complicate them to another negative level, rather, dialogue and peace has always been the answer.
“As a Coalition of Concerned Citizens residing in Kaduna State, we consider ourselves as stakeholders and beneficiaries of the projects and developments in the state. We have landed properties, companies, and other businesses that have tied us across the state. Most of us are even more Kaduna State than even the indigenes because of the stakes we have in the state. If anything goes wrong, we are going to be affected just like everyone else.
“It is on this note, and fueled by genuine interest that we are poised to declare, totally reject, distance ourselves, and completely stand against this maliciously, stage-managed planned protest in Kaduna State and across the country.
“Consequently, we the leadership and members of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens of Kaduna State today Thursday, 25th July 2024, categorically distance ourselves and say no to any staged protest
“This decision became necessary following a series of consultations and painstaking analysis of the dangerous consequences of this protest, how it will drive us backward economically and possibly plunge the state and the country into a state of crisis, chaos, terror, and anarchy. Learning from history and previous examples, violence has never solved any problem but complicate them to another negative level, rather, dialogue and peace have always been the answer.
“While as an association we acknowledge and sympathize with our fellow brothers and sisters over the recent dire economic hardship as a result of several global factors, it is imperative to reiterate that destroying public facilities, looting and vandalism under the guise of any protest should be condemned by all well-meaning citizens of Kaduna State.”
He said, “On his part as an activist and the duly elected Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani has continued to create necessary interventions to improve human capital development in the state, especially in our long-neglected rural areas.
“From health to infrastructure, security, and education, the Kaduna State Government led by Governor Uba Sani has continued to illustrate their unwavering commitment towards improving the standard of living in the state.
“Why then should we fold our arms and watch a few disgruntled individuals hijack the state. As a people, there are more civil ways to express our displeasure in a democratic dispensation”.
