Group demands protest cancellation over fear of mayhem in Edo

With the planned nationwide protest against bad governance in Nigeria expected to begin today, the Network of Benin Ethnic Nationalities Organisation on Tuesday called for the cancellation of the protest as it could lead to the breakdown of law and order if hijacked by hoodlums.

The group in a statement made available to South-South PUNCH urged the protesters to listen to the wise counsel of the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, who last week called for the suspension of the protesters and urged the citizens to give the government more time to fix the country.

The president of the coalition, Ojo Oghomwen, appealed to all heads of communities, youth leaders, religious leaders and parents to persuade their wards not to be part of the protest, which they feared may be hijacked as was the experience in previous exercises.

He said, “It is becoming evident that the planned nationwide protest may be hijacked from the genuine organisers/protesters as it was during the 2020 #EndSARS protest and the 2023 cashless policy protest, where Edo State was converted to destructive ground by hijackers of the protests.

“As defenders of human rights and advocates of an egalitarian society, we are well equipped to protest, which is a fundamental right of the citizens as enshrined in the Nigeria constitution.

“However, we are using this medium to appeal to our people to respect the advice that was offered by our revered palace to withdraw from the protest scheduled for August 1 as the protest may be hijacked by destructive-minded individuals. It may lead to looting, destruction of public/private properties, breaking of prison walls and other negative actions which would no doubt negatively affect the struggling and suffering masses of Nigeria.

“It will also bring further stress to the tense political situation in Edo State due to the fast-approaching September 21 governorship election.

“Historically, whenever our highly respected Oba of Benin kingdom advises his subjects who are Edo people on salient matters like the planned nationwide protest, then the onus is on us to heed his advice so as not to incur the wrath of our ancestors.”

Also speaking, a stakeholder in the organisation, Osaro Iyamu, said they were not against the protest, but that they must respect the advice of the Oba of Benin and that experiences have shown that the protest could be hijacked, noting that the recommendations of the #EndSARS panel of enquiry have not bern implemented in the state.

On his part, the Director of Students Engagement of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Comrade Stephen Imafidon, said that abstinence from the protest does not make them less human but rather “more human because the tranquility and peace of this state is a collective effort, we must not join disruptive elements to jeopardize  on this.”