THE NATION
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Governors yesterday led in cautioning protest promoters, saying there will be no room for a repeat of the 2020 #EndSARS which wreaked havoc on many cities.
Although they acknowledged the freedom to protest, the governors said it must be peaceful.
Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo) and Duoye Diri (Bayelsa) spoke at different occasions.
Southeast governors spoke in unison against the planned protest through their chairman, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Oba of Benin Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and chairmen of local governments in Lagos State, among others, also cautioned against violent protest.
For the second time in 48 hours, Informational and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris explained why promoters of the protest should shelve the idea.
Yesterday, a high-level meeting at the Aso Villa seat of power attended by Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru was held on the likely breach of national security, it was learnt.
On Monday, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun underscored the need to keep the peace if a protest must be staged by any group.
He warned that violence will not be tolerated because the police will protect national assets.
The 2020 #EndSARS protest was initiated by youths to campaign against the brutality of the police outfit Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The protest turned violent, leading to killings, looting, and destruction of public and private property and national assets.
Hundreds of millions of naira worth of properties were destroyed.
Abiodun, who met with a coalition of youth organisations in Abeokuta, the state capital, appealed to them to constructively engage the government in finding lasting solutions to national problems instead of embarking on protests.
He said: “There are calls for mass protests across the country and the first thing that agitates one’s mind is: is that the way to present our case to government?
“Is that the way to constructively and objectively engage with the government by advertising and planning mass protests?
“Is there something behind those who are calling for these protests? Is this another plan by those who have tried their luck and have lost? Is this their own way and shortcut to see how to frustrate the government?
“Young men and women, you have no other country than this country. I am sure, like many of you, there is no country in the world where you can walk like your own, except in Nigeria.
“There is a Yoruba proverb that says ‘beheading is not the solution for a headache’. If there are issues, let us discuss them, let us find a way around them, and let us manage and correct them. Let us not cut off the head or attempt to cut off the head because of a headache. That will amount to decapitation.”
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