By Aderogba George
Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative (TADI), Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) have urged Nigerians to remain calm and shun the planned nationwide protest.
The Executive Director of TADI, Mr Yomi David, and the representative of the CSOs and CBOs Mr Muhammed Basah made the call at a joint news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
David said they had monitored government activities since the call for protest across the country began to gain momentum.
David explained that they had been consulting across both sides to take a decision that would be in the best interest of Nigerians.
“We want to use this medium to inform and appeal to every Nigerian that we need to give peace a chance in the country by way of continue dialogue with Government and stakeholders at all levels.
“We are very much aware of the volatile situation the country had been so enmeshed in, particularly, the harsh economic situation and standard of living that is at the low at the moment
“But we are convinced that a protest at this point would further deepen the situation as disgruntled elements are looking for opportunities to create more chaotic situation for them to strike.
“We wish to sue for calm while every group continues to engage with the right channels on ways by which the country should be piloted towards the right direction for the general good of all Nigerians.
“We wish to sate categorically that President Bola Tinubu had proven in the last few weeks that he is a president that listen to the yearning and aspirations of the people,” David said.
David further said that Tinunbu agreed that protest is a right of every citizens but he was concerned about the aftermath of the protest which could be high jacked by hoodlums.
“This is the reason for our decision to call for dialogue instead of protest.
“We hereby use this opportunity to call on states and local government authorities across the country to put in place a platform for dialogue with every youth groups within their domain.
“We also urge other groups and those organising the protest to pull out of the mobilisation or cancel the proposed national protest in the interest of peace and safety of all“, David said. (NAN)