Shelve August 1’hunger’ protest, Afenifere urges organizers

A leading pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, has urged Nigerians to approach the issue of nationwide protests with caution, saying they should consider the prevailing circumstances and climate in the country.

The body suggested that there must be
a thoughtful deliberation of such plans, as protest alone will not solve the problems on the ground.

In a statement released on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jare Ajayi, Afenifere acknowledged that citizens have an inherent right to protest but emphasized the importance of carefully considering the prevailing circumstances and overall climate in which the planned protest is set to take place.

He said: “Information at the disposal of Afenifere is that the planned protest is to draw the attention of the government to the excruciating situation in the country.

“As the saying goes, those who feel it know it. In other words, Nigerians consider protest as a way of registering their displeasure, perhaps disenchantment over what many are going through. It’s in order.

“But there are some factors that need to be put into consideration. First is whether protest is the only means by which the government’s attention can be called to the perceived hardship in the land. And, if the protest path is to be taken, what form should it take?.

“Engagement is a very potent instrument, not only to call attention to the situation on the ground but also to decide what the ways should be.

“Incidentally, the Federal Government has not only expressed its awareness of what is going on in the country; it has also expressed a commitment to engagements with Nigerians so as to find solutions to the myriad of challenges that the country is facing. Challenges that are the basis for the planned protests.

“The experience of what happened during #Endsars in 2020 is still fresh in our minds. The scars of the protests can still be felt in various places.

“For instance, the non-pareil modern laboratory in Lagos that was destroyed then could not be replaced up till now. A laboratory that had nothing to do with what the protesters were venting their anger against.

“The destruction of the laboratory has meant that tests that could be routinely done in Lagos now have to be taken to the United States of America.”

The organisation appealed to the relevant arms of government to take immediate and concrete steps to mitigate the suffering of Nigerians, while also engaging in meaningful consultations with the people to understand their needs and work towards providing effective solutions in the shortest possible time.