No amount of threats can stop nationwide protests – Organised CSOs

The organised Civil Society under the umbrella of United Action Front of Civil Society on Monday warned the government at all levels against any form of intimidation against protesters during the August 1 to 10 nationwide protests against hunger.

The body of CSOs in a statement signed by the Head of the secretariat, Wale Okunniyi, also urged citizens to hold the government responsible for any intended outcome.

Recall that certain activists have organised a nationwide protest slated for August 1 to 10, 2024. The planned protest has gained traction on social media, trending under the hashtags ‘#EndBadGovernance,’ ‘#TinubuMustGo’ and ‘#Revolution2024.’

The presidency and police authorities have called on youths to abandon the plan.

The statement read, “We wish to advise the Tinubu government to immediately take proactive steps to address the demands and concerns already raised by citizens groups participating in the planned nationwide citizens’ protests, if they are really sincere about averting the mass action beyond grandstanding and hoodwinking of Nigerians, as no amount of threats and gimmicks presently being deployed by agents of the Nigerian government can stop the nationwide mass demonstrations.

“Key among the citizens’ demands already put out by initiators of the nationwide protests is the urgent reversal of the price of fuel from ₦1,000 per litre for which it is being unofficially sold today to pre-January 2023 price of ₦167 per litre.

“Second on these demands is the drastic reduction of government profligacy and high cost of governance in Nigeria, which will require slashing of the humongous emoluments and allowances of all elected government officials in Nigeria by fifty per cent of what currently receive from state covers.”

The group noted that the government is to be held responsible for not taking steps to address the crucial concerns and interests of the Nigerians.

The statement said, “For the Nigerian Civil Society and citizens, the most fundamental of the problems of stability, insecurity and development in Nigeria are entrenched in the warped and undemocratically imposed constitution of the country by the military as decree 24 of 1999, which has been largely corruptive and divisive of the country and sadly has no remedy except it’s replaced through a democratic and legitimate process.

“In the light of the foregoing intervention of the organised civil society, the government is to be held responsible for not taking urgent steps in addressing the crucial concerns and interests of the  Nigerians critical to the planned nationwide mass protest and any unintended consequences therefrom.”