The former President Bola Tinubu’s South East Spokesman, Denge Dr. Josef Onoh, has appealed to Nigerians not to embark on any protests but to give the President more time to address the challenges he inherited.
Onoh, who is also the current Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, stated that the “current administration inherited an economy already in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), which is not of its making. Rather than blame others or seek scapegoats, he has chosen to accept full responsibility because he asked for the job.”
Acknowledging citizens’ right to peaceful protest, Onoh added that “the frequency of protests varies.”
“Most protests in Nigeria have always been hijacked by criminal elements who take advantage of the freedom of expression. Even with government tolerance, these protests have often resulted in the destruction of public and private property, leading to further economic hardship for Nigerians.
“The President will never abuse the rights of any Nigerian whom he has sworn an oath to protect.
“The major concern regarding the planned protest is two-fold. First, when there are no gatekeepers to constrain participants, the overall level of protest experience diminishes, increasing the likelihood that inexperienced protesters may resort to violence when confronted by the state. Second, protests without gatekeepers are likely to attract violence-oriented individuals, as evidenced by the EndSARS protests.
“I have always maintained that some protests are not representative of public opinion. ‘I don’t know if public opinion can be measured solely by the number of people who turn up at demonstrations.’
“As much as the protesters claim their August 1-10 protest will be nonviolent activism that will generate favorable media coverage and shift public opinion towards the issues they raise, they overlook the economic hardship their protest will impose on the very masses they claim to represent.
“It’s crucial to recognize that protesters holding placards boldly declaring #Tinubumustgo can be perceived as agents of destabilization with the sole aim of sparking unrest. One cannot remove a democratically elected government through such means, as it will only provoke unfavorable media coverage and a public outcry for our security agencies to restore law and order.
“One cannot expect a country to thrive without critical opposition.” The President has heard the voices of Nigerians, and even the labor unions have placed their demands on the table, allowing time for all parties to consider proactive measures. I urge my fellow Nigerians to give the President time. Irrespective of our political, social, ethnic, and religious differences, it is imperative to remember that Nigeria belongs to all of us. We cannot destroy our nation, for in doing so, we also destroy ourselves, our future, and that of generations to come.
“President Tinubu has come to terms with the prevailing realities and is addressing the situation pragmatically.
“Mr. President has consistently appealed to the organizers of the proposed protest to shelve their plans and give his government more time for its reforms to take shape. I have always believed in him. Times are tough, but let us not make things harder through acts of protest. Even Mr. President himself once engaged in peaceful protests without resorting to property destruction.
“Nigerians have worked hard to ensure 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, and it is our collective responsibility to maintain this democracy. Let’s work together to build our nation rather than place all the blame on the government.”
