Prevent hijacking of protests, TCM women’s wing advises govt, protesters

Barely two days to the planned nationwide protest, a socio-political group, the Collective Movement (TCM), has called for measures to prevent hoodlums from hijacking the protest to forment trouble.

Mrs. Esther Opaluwah, the socio-political group’s National Woman Leader, made the call in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday.

She advised both the government and organizers of the protests to ensure that the protests were free of violence.

Opaluwah, in a statement signed by TCM Media Director, Mazi Ndubuisi Nwachukwu, said the activities of the protesters should be guided by security agencies from the start to the end of the protests.

She appealed to the security agencies to protect lives and property by ensuring that the protest was peaceful as they carried out their assigned job professionally.

Opaluwah urged them to view the protesters as equal citizens, emphasizing the importance of every Nigerian to the nation and the need for freedom of expression on matters impacting the majority of the population.

“A lack of transparency and accountability in government; improved economic opportunities and job creation; enhanced security and protection of lives and property; quality education and healthcare for all; an end to corruption and impunity; poverty, unemployment, and insecurity are among the issues confronting the nation that the protesters are marching against,’’ the TCM National Women leader said.

She also called on the federal, state, and local governments to urgently pay adequate attention to the myriad of problems affecting the country.

“Governments at all levels should engage in constructive dialogue with stakeholders and utilise social media to amplify their messages.”