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The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has challenged the sponsors of the proposed protest scheduled for August 1-10, 2024, to reveal themselves publicly.
Naija News reports that Matawalle’s comment comes amidst warnings from security agencies in the country against the nationwide protests in response to the economic hardship experienced by Nigerians.
In a statement on Thursday by the Director of Information, Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike, Matawalle warned the protest planners and sponsors against plans to thwart the effort of the Federal Government to protect citizens from violence.
The Minister said it was strange that the protest organisers were unknown, and called on Nigerians to remain calm and ignore the planned national protest scheduled for next week.
Matawalle also said those trying to replicate the situation of Kenya in Nigeria should rethink its consequences.
He said, “The persons behind the protest, the sponsors and their facilitators are unknown. Who is the masquerade behind the so-called protesters? We need to know. This is strange and ominous that they are unknown.
“Let it also be clear that while our laws and international law allow peaceful protest, assembly and association; it does not legitimise violence and destruction. And no democracy will allow its citizens to be threatened by either internal or external aggression.
“Protests are constitutional rights; violence in the name of protest is a crime. There are clear provisions against crime in Nigeria as they are under international law. Both our laws and other international conventions are clear on the legality of restricting violent assembly and enforcing the law to protect the rights of others, to ensure national security, and to guarantee public safety and public order.
“We must be vigilant and not allow those with malicious intentions to disrupt our peace and unity.
“Those moving to unleash the Kenyan episode on Nigeria should look back and examine the consequences for Kenya. That experience should have no place in Nigeria because it will set us back instead of moving forward.”
Matawalle called for collective responsibility in maintaining national peace and unity, urging Nigerians to reject any action that could lead to instability.
He added that the Federal Government is ready to listen and address the citizens’ concerns through constructive engagement and dialogue.
Rachel Okporu is an entertainment and lifestyle journalist with years of experience in the industry. She is a graduate of Linguistics and Communication Studies. Likes surfing the Internet and making new friends.
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