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Former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili has warned the Nigerian government against underestimating the youth and organizers of the #EndBadGovernance protests scheduled to begin on August 1.
Ezekwesili who gave the advice in a post on his X account on Thursday night, also told the government at all levels and security agencies not to take the protests lightly by threatening the organisers as it could cause the protests to turn violent.
He called on the government to “use the opportunity of the planned protests to engage with disaffected and dissatisfied young citizens with the utmost civility.”
In a post titled ‘My Position on the National Protests of our Young Citizens,’ Ezekwesili said:
“Every reasonable person knows that the majority of our citizens – especially the young – are suffering in many ways, as a result of the economic hardship that is currently plaguing this country.
“They blame Bad Governance and therefore demand an end to it.
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“What is there to deny about such an obvious issue?
“Unfortunately, the language and actions of politicians, public officials and their allies that cause suffering to citizens are far from democratic and empathetic.
“News in the media indicates that our young citizens are planning to protest across the country. And as we have all read on social media and other media, it appears that the planned protests have already upset the federal and state governments.
“I hope @NigeriaGov and its allies can swiftly and wisely stop threatening our citizens who want to exercise their constitutional rights to expression, association and movement through nationwide protests.
“I urge the leadership and members of the @NGRPresident @NGRSenate @HouseNGR and Governors across the country not to squander the golden opportunity that planned protests offer them as public office holders.
“Use this planned protest opportunity to engage your disgruntled and unhappy young citizens with the utmost civility.
“Here are at least 2 wise actions that @NigeriaGov and Governors can take:
1. Ensure that protesters are protected and supported by @PoliceNG and relevant agencies like the Civil Defence Corps to protest peacefully and orderly in conveying their demands and agitations to the authorities. Learn from the bad lessons of the poor handling of #EndSARSProtests.
2. Respond to the protesters with a convincing path and plan to achieve Good Governance on each specific issue they are currently protesting.
“I hope our politicians and public officials will heed the advice and give themselves the humility to listen and learn from their citizens at a time like this.
“I hope the protesters will conduct a well-organized, orderly and peaceful protest.”
#EndBadGovernance Protest Post: Don’t take Nigerian youths for granted, Ezekwesili advises govt appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.
