Don’t Escalate Planned Protest, CSOs Warn State Governors

Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, under the aegis of Coalition Of Genuine Civil Society Organisations and Right Activists have appealed to state governors and security agents not to escalate the planned protest stage for August 1.

The coalition while briefing the press, at Human Rights building in Ijaye, in Ifako Ijaiye local government area, Lagos State,  yesterday said the organiser of the protest is staging the protest to condemn government policies  which are anti people.

They noted that rather than trying to suppress the protest, the government should engage the organiser of the protest.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Comrade Declan Ihekaire of Activists  for good governance,who was supported by other human rights leaders, like Comrades Ekundayo Shoyoye, Kushimo Olumiyiwa, Funmilayo Jolade- Ajayi, Bolaji Komolafe,Lawal Adewale among others stated that, the move by some state governors to stop the protest by engaging some fake human rights groups in discussion cannot stop the protest.

According to him, they are participating in the protest because the situation in the country is no longer tolerable and bearable.”We have reached a level we can’t bear any longer. The protest is from every conscious society.”

Ihekaire said the long notice the protest organizer gave was enough for the government to make policy adjustments to pacify the aggrieved Nigerians.

He maintained that nobody, group, or individual can claim to speak for the protest organiser without the express approval of the movement.

Ihekaire, therefore, advised those who believe the crisis will lead to violence to desist.”We wish to make it clear that the narrative that the protest will lead to violence and destruction of lives and properties is simply a figment of the imagination of the governments and agents against the planned peaceful protests.”