A former President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Prince Lanre Ogundipe has called on President Bola Tinubu to stop the threats emanating from security agencies on the proposed nationwide protest.
Prince Ogundipe gave this charge in a statement issued on the planned nationwide hardship protest and made available to newsmen on Tuesday where he urged President Tinubu to engage Nigerians and plead for their understanding.
“You also need to inform them of the efforts you are making to ameliorate the hardships they are going through as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the Naira” he stated.
In his words: “Mr. President, for those of us who had played one role or the other in the protests organised by Civil Society organisations or organised Labour in recent past, l believed that protesters hardly nurse any plan to act violently or embark on reckless activities during such protests. Rather, what I have observed is that it is the government, who usually, through the security agencies or other 5th columnists, provoke protesters to turn violent. Therefore, all that the government needs to do – at this critical point in time, is to demonstrate understanding and empathy, and use every means possible, to assuage the anger of the people, who are determined to take to the streets to vent their frustration”
“At this junture, Mr. President, my appeal to you as a leader of the people, a notable pro – democracy activist and veteran of many struggles – who had led many protests in this country, is to be more proactive in responding to agitations in a manner that would disarm the enemy of progress, and prove to the opposition that you understand the game and care about the people you are governing” he added.
According to him, this would enhance President Tinubu’s dignity as a politician who understands what good leadership is all about and the dynamics of effective statecraft.
“Mr. President, I believed that the prompt action taken on Dangote refinery is an indication that you meant well for the country .A decision that is being applauded in many quarters as a step in the right direction”
Prince Ogundipe concluded that, for Nigeria and its citizens to survive this period, the leadership must be willing to bear most of the sacrifices , while the governed should also admit the fact that not only President Tinubu is guilty of bad governance. State Governors, local governments, and the legislature are all culpable at different levels.
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