The Nigerian government has been instructed by former education minister Obiageli Ezekwesili to cease intimidating citizens who want to enjoy their constitutional rights to free speech, association, and mobility by staging a national protest.
Ezekwesili insisted that the government guarantee the security agencies’ assistance and protection of demonstrators.
She asserts that the nation’s governors and the National Assembly’s leadership members ought to seize the excellent chance that the upcoming protests present for them as public officials.
Some Nigerians are reportedly organizing for a national protest that is scheduled to take place from August 1 to August 10, 2024.
The protest’s organizers, using the hashtag #EndBadGovernace, have bemoaned the nation’s rampant hunger and inflation.
The former minister announced her stance on Thursday in a post on her X account.
Ezekwesili said leaders in political positions should use the opportunity of the planned protests to engage dissatisfied and disaffected young citizens with utmost civility.
The post titled, ‘My Position on the Nationwide Protest of our Young Citizens’, reads, “All reasonable people know that majority of our citizens- especially the young ones- are distressed on many counts, from biting economic hardship that is prevalent in the country today. They blame it on Bad Governance and are therefore demanding an end to it.
“What is there to contest on a clearly established matter like this?
“Unfortunately, the language and actions of politicians, public officials and their allies to the distress of citizens are far from democratic and empathetic.
“News in the media suggest that our young citizens are planning to protest nationwide. And as we all read the reactions on social and other media, it does appear that the planned protests already agitate the federal and state governments.
“I hope the @NigeriaGov and its allies can quickly and wisely cease from threatening those among our Citizens who wish to exercise their constitutional right of expression, association and movement through a nationwide protest.
“I urge the @NGRPresident @NGRSenate @HouseNGR leadership and members as well as Governors across the country to not waste the golden opportunity that the planned protests are offering them as holders of public positions.
“Use this opportunity of the planned protests to engage your dissatisfied and disaffected young citizens with utmost civility.
“Here are at least 2 wise actions that @NigeriaGov and Governors can take:
“1. Ensure that the protesters are protected and supported by the @PoliceNG and related agencies like the Civil Defense Corp to protest peacefully and orderly in presenting their demands and agitations to the authorities. Be guided by the terrible lessons of the mishandling of #EndSARSProtests.
“2. Respond to the protesters with a convincing pathway and plan to achieve Good Governance on each specific issue they are protesting against or for at this time.
“I hope that our politicians and public officials will heed counsel and allow themselves the humility of listening and learning from their citizens at a time like this.
“I wish the protesters a well-organized, orderly and peaceful protest.”
