NATIONWIDE PROTESTS: ‘Protest is your constitutional right, not violence’ NAOSNP urges youth
The National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) has enjoined Nigerian youths to rather opt for dialogue with the government other than resorting to violent protests.
This is even as the association admittedly said that protest is a part of the constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens and not violence.
Following the rising agitation for nationwide hunger protests by aggrieved Nigerian youths, slated to commence from 1 to 10 August, 2024, the leadership of a frontline security news association, the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), has called on the former to endeavour to do so “with every sense of decency and responsibility for the country.”
The security news beat association also called on the youths to seek dialogue with the government, noting that it is the best approach to obtaining positive outcomes from the protest.
The association pointed out that the planned protests had begun to yield good results even before its official start date and prayed the youths to tread with caution so as not to reverse the trend.
The statement signed by the National President of the association, Comrade Oki Samson noted that ‘Protests, as a way to air one’s grievances, are a strong element of democracy which are also enshrined in the Constitution for all citizens to make their voices heard. In all known democracies, protests have played an immense role in development. Nigeria is not different as protests have been an integral part of our development from the military era into civil rule.’
‘While protests are encouraged, they must however be peaceful, calm, organized, and with notable leaders at the forefront. A faceless and leaderless protest may often be hijacked by people who are not interested in the good of the populace. This is why dialogue is the way forward after the streets.’
Since the idea of the protests was mooted about three weeks ago, NAOSNP noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had signed the minimum wage bill, ordered that a bag of rice be sold at N40,000, and ended the NNPCL/Dangote refinery saga with the direct sale of crude oil in naira to the Nigerian-based refinery, approved the establishment of FCTA Youth Secretariat, students loan among other good initiatives. These recent moves by the Federal Government are bound to bring succour to Nigerians in the long run. Therefore, the association urged the youths to ensure that their intended action yielded more positive outcomes and not allow their demonstration to be hijacked.
The association stated: ‘While it is the constitutional right of every Nigerian to protest, there is nowhere in the constitution enshrined that violence, looting, arson and mindless destruction are features of protest. Anything other than peaceful protest is a crime. Protesters who go out of line to attack citizens, loot businesses, burn social infrastructure and destroy our commonwealth will face the full weight of the law.’
The association called on the protesting youths to watch and fish out with their own marshals those nefarious elements who want to infiltrate them to cause harm, destruction and paint them in bad image. It also urged security agencies especially the Nigeria Police not to relent in their duty to protect lives and properties in this tense period. They urged the Nigeria Police to deploy the friendly approach adopted by the Lagos State Command during the recent protest conducted by the Nigeria Labour Congress some months ago.
In the same vein, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), whose duty is to protect critical infrastructure must live up to expectation; mount their duty post, and ensure that no vandal comes close to national installations.
The Nigerian Immigration and Customs have a duty to parade the borders to ensure no illegal immigrants stray into the country, ensuring no arms, weapons and ammunition find their ways into the country.
The association maintain that while the country is in dire need of direction, this is not the time to throw blames and be play ethnic cards; it’s a time for responsibility. It is important to note that joining a protest is by choice, and no one should be forced, threatened or cajoled to join.
The protesters must also understand that it is not in the interest of the nation or its citizens to hold a protest for 10 straight days. It’s inimical to economic and social growth.
We must all avoid a repeat of the October 2020 #EndSars protest, 2011 post election crisis in the north, the 2023 election crisis and many crises the nation has experienced that led to massive destruction and deaths.
E-signed
Oki O. Samson
National President
National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP
