Group calls for peaceful protests, tasks FG to manage situation well

A sociopolitical group, The Equity Movement, has charged youths and groups planning the August 1 to August 10 nationwide protests to ensure that the demonstrations are peaceful and orderly.

The group, in a statement signed by its chairman, Alhaji (Hon) Amusat Ogunsola, said the warning became imperative to forestall a breakdown of law and order as witnessed during the EndSARS protests.

According to the group, protests are constitutional and lawful, but Nigerians must be wary not to worsen the country’s situation by allowing the protests to degenerate into a crisis.

The Movement also called on the Federal Government to be cautious in its handling of the protests, noting that people’s rights to association and peaceful assembly must be respected before, during, and after the protests.

The group, which called on all security agencies to handle the protests with caution, said it would be in everyone’s interest if the planned protests achieve the reasonable objective of making the government address the hardship in the country.

The statement said: “We have noted the planned protests scheduled to hold between August 1 and August 10 and want to tell everyone behind the protests to do things in moderation and in the best interest of the generality of the people of Nigeria.

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“We recognize the fact that protests, when lawful and orderly, are guaranteed rights in the constitution and call on the Federal Government and its security agencies to respect these rights.

We urge the Federal Government to engage the planners of the protests in a dialogue, while also doing everything it can to mitigate the hardship being experienced by the people, which the protesters lay claim to as the basis for their grievance.

“However, we would like to admonish all parties that whatever will be done before, during, and after the protests should be in the interest of Nigeria.

It will not bode well for the government, the people, and the country if the protests turn into violence and another bout of vandalization and looting as witnessed in the EndSARS days, so we advise that all parties put the nation first in this matter.”