Group stages ‘no violent protest’ in Lagos

A coalition of civil society organisations in Lagos state under the aegis of Defend Nigeria Movement (DNM) has passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu and his economic reform policies and staged a peaceful protest tagged, “No violent protest” held at the Alausa secretariat gate on Thursday.

Convener of the group, Comrade Razak Olokooba called on all patriotic Nigerians to defend, “our Lagos from destruction of public properties and attack from bad people and haters of economic prosperity and development.”

Addressing large numbers of protesters he said, “We are a coalition against violent protest and anarchy in Lagos state and Nigeria as a whole. The Defend Nigeria Movement is for peace, progress and harmony as well as the protection of our national heritage against destruction.

We are gathered here in the wee hour of this day, August 1st, Thursday, 2024 to solemnly mediate and publicly declare our undiluted patriotic valour to rescue our dear Nigeria from the claws of sharks and oaks with the last straw of blood in our veins.

We restate our unalloyed vote of confidence in the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the Federal government reformed policies. To achieve positive dividends, however, patience and understanding are necessary.

Lagos is our heritage. Let us join hands with the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to continue his good work. Let us defend our Lagos from destruction and attack from bad people and haters of economic prosperity and development.

We hereby call on our members to hold forth in their respective communities and neighbourhood and protect public properties. Our city must not fall. We must know that if any of our public facilities is destroyed, we will be paying for it with our tax payers money and this, will hinder and derail further development.

An observer will be tempted to dismiss Nigeria as a country that can never overcome its present challenges of insecurity, economic hardship and political hullabaloo.

But we say, this is not true and it can never be our reality. And all prophets of doom will soon be on bended knees to seek forgiveness.

We are proud of who we are. We are indigenous, hardworking and resilient people. This is the time the cross shall pass just like the slave trade era and the colonial period as well as the military dictatorship era.”

Speaking further on the no violent protest stance of DNM, he stated, “It is important to note that what we are doing here is to uphold the inalienable right of law abiding citizens to lawful assembly and express themselves within the modicum of the law. A right that does not infringe on the rights of freedom of movement of others as well as freedom of expression.

The naked truth is that we are on top of credible information which exposed the promoters of the ongoing calls for protest from 1st of August and interested in insurrection to overthrow constitutionally democratic governance of President Bola Tinubu on the altar of political exigencies.

There are elements who are looting cabals in the oil and gas sector, forex business and other entrenched power of the cabal.

We cannot afford our country to be thrown into frenzy of bloodbath and retrogression and destructive violence as was witnessed in the EndSARS fiasco in 2020.

Therefore, all leaders of thought, traditional rulers and religious leaders and business leaders must speak out against violent protest and build people’s network against those trying to create havoc and wanton destruction of public properties.

All patriotic citizens must join hands to build alliance against socio-economic saboteurs. We must never give military any reason to organise coup in the country again.

Peace is needed for growth and security of lives and properties. We equally call on the government to partner with civic forces to address the current economic hardship in the country.

This is why traditional rulers, youths, market men and women and religious leaders must come together to protect our community patrimony.

We seize this solemn moment to meditate and pray for a better and brighter Nigeria. We also assure Nigerians and the global community that Nigeria remain a stable and peaceful country. We urge you to continue your usual legitimate business without any fear and apprehension.”

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