Hardship: Address Nigerians To Calm Frayed Nerves, CAPPA Tells Tinubu

Ahead of the planned nationwide protests from August 1 to 10, 2024, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately address citizens in a state-of-the-nation broadcast, to engage the people’s legitimate grievances, calm frayed nerves, and break the icy tension that has formed across parts of the country.

It also urged the President to affirm his administration’s commitment to protecting the rights of citizens by compelling all government machinery and authorities to safeguard the lives and well-being of every citizen under their watch.

The group specifically urged the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies to fulfil their obligations as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended) by ensuring that the right of citizens to peacefully assembly is upheld without interference.

The nationwide protest tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria filtered into public space and social media about three weeks ago in response to the growing frustration at the soaring cost of living and hardship precipitated by a series of economic reforms carried out by the Federal government since May 29 last year.

In a press statement, signed by media and communication officer, CAPPA, Robert Egbe, the group said a peaceful protest is a legitimate mechanism for citizens to vent their grievances against unfavourable government policies, and any attempt to undermine how citizens feel is an assault against true democracy, adding that governance can only be genuine when it accords the dignity of participation, inclusion and expression for all citizens.

The group further cautioned state and non-state actors to desist from criminalizing and victimizing innocent Nigerians and dissenting voices. It encouraged Nigerians to remain peaceful and united in the face of the nation’s challenges and during the protest.

It also urged security forces to stay alert to thwart and decisively deal with any plans by sponsored miscreants and thugs to crack down on peaceful protestors and undermine or physically disrupt activities at protest sites.