Ondo: CD, CNCRA dissociate selves from nationwide protest

The Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Conference Of Nigeria Civil Rights Activists, (CNCRA) in Ondo, on Sunday, dissociated themselves from the proposed nationwide protest and demonstration occasioned by the economic hardship in the country.

The CD and CNCRA groups led by their Chairmen, Nesta Taiwo and Raphael Dada respectively, agreed with the organisers of the protest that things are not easy economically in the country following the removal of fuel subsidy but said the situation could be salvaged through  dialogue.

The groups who also recognised peaceful protest as a positive tool for dispute resolution, said the demand of the protesters for economic and political reforms to tackle the rising cost of living is still within their rights as enshirned in the nation’s constitution and that of United Nations Declaration on Human rightsand people’s rights.

Speaking, Taiwo however, noted that the  organizers of the protest are  unknown and faceless, saying this cast doubt on the identity and authenticity of those behind the protest.

He said the protesters are ot enjoying popular support of major stakeholders in the civil society family, saying there is every possibility that the protest could be hijacked by hoodlums and miscreants.

The groups however, stated that “On, this note, we have directed all our members in Ondo state to shun anyone, or approach to join the proposed protest. We implore them and the good people of Ondo State to go on with their lawful businesses.

“The organizers of the protest did not put us in confidence, we are not part of the planning and thinking. And therefore, they cannot enjoy our support and participation.

The organizers are not known, they have remained faceless and obscure to the people of Nigeria, some doubt has been cast upon the authenticity of the protest, therefore, not enjoying popular support of major stakeholders in the civil society family. There is every possibility that the protest would be hijacked by hoodlums and miscreants.

“Consequently, we strongly advise that the protesters should sheath their sword and give peace a chance as we are persuaded that there cannot be peaceful demonstration which can avoid the risk of been hijacked  by unsuspecting hoodlums and miscreants which may lead to avoidable loss of lives and properties

“It is not in our practice to engage the establishment in protest without due consultation and dialogue with the Government. This is ongoing with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Hon. Minister for Interior, Hon. Olubunnmi Tunji Ojo”

We are not unaware of the present economic hardship in the country occasioned by the fuel subsidy which was unavoidably removed on day one of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Government in May, 2023.

“We should bear in mind that Nigerians had earlier been briefed by President Bola Tinubu that subsidy had been removed by the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari before handing over to him.

“We are also conversant with the fundamental human rights of individuals as contained in the 1999 constitution as amended, Africa charter on human and people’s rights and that of United Nations Declaration on Human and people’s rights which guarantee the citizenries their rights to peaceful protest.

“Much as we cannot hold brief for any Establishment/Government, it is a law of natural justice to state very clearly the unprecedented, plausible and laudable achievements of the extant Government within a short period of 14 months”

“We are proud to tell you, particularly in Ondo state, that the national body of Campaign for Democracy, CD and  Conference Of Nigeria Civil Rights Activists, CNCRA, are already engaging the Federal Government on the best way to ameliorate the pains we are all going through” the group stated.

The CD and CNCRA groups hailed the federal government over the take off of e-pasport, making international passport accessible to all applicants within two weeks in contrast to the long winded procedure of recent past.

They also hailed the judgement of the Supreme Court on the local government autonomy, saying “previous governments had paid lip service to its entrenchment in our political structure. But today, we are all glad when the Government of Tinubu injected it into our political system.

“Just of recent, workers salary was increased to 70,000 naira as minimum wage with a promise of upward review every three years. This is another great thing to happen within  the workforce as agreed by the trio of government, Labor and organized private sector now signed into law.

“Drawing from the above, it is logical for all of us as stakholders to excercise patience against the background of an economy that was near total collapse before the advent of the extant administration.”