A coalition of civil society organisations, pressure groups, ethnic nationalities and interest groups, has called on Nigerians to shun the planned nationwide protest against the current administration.
Mr Prince Miaphen, who spoke on behalf of the coalition, made the call during a news conference in Jos.
Miaphen blamed the current economic crunch and other challenges in the country on the failure of past administrations and called on the citizens, particularly the youth, to reject the protest.
He said that President Bola Tinubu had embarked on critical reforms aimed at stabilising the economy of the nation toward bettering the lots of Nigerians.
Miaphen alleged that the planned protest “is to incite Nigerians and discredit the current administration in the country.
“There has been a consensus among Nigerians that the nation’s economy has for long been on the wrong direction, with very dire socioeconomic consequences.
“The organisers will never tell those they intend to deceive that this protest will end in chaos because it has no control and it will birth more hardship on the citizens,’’.
Miaphen also expressed concern of the possibility of hoodlums hijacking the protest to cause chaos and destroy critical national assets.
In another development, the police have said the officers remained proactive in the prevention of breakdown of law and order.
Zamfara Command Police Public Relations Officer Yazid said this in Gusau, Zamfara, on Tuesday.
“We warn clandestine groups plotting to destabilise the state and hoodlums seeking to exploit protests for their criminal agenda that we will not tolerate any form of violence, destruction of property or looting.
“To facilitate a successful and hitch-free protest, we require groups planning to protest to provide the necessary details about their activities.
“We encourage all protesters to cooperate with the police, obey the law and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly.
“We assure residents that they can go about their lawful activities and report any suspicious movements to the nearest police station for immediate action,’’ he said.
Similarly, in Bauchi State, the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Ilelaboye Oyejide has warned the personnel of the corps against improper use of firearms ahead of the planned protest.
Oyejide gave the warning while addressing personnel from different formations of the corps on Tuesday in Bauchi.
He also rolled out the Standard Operating Procedures for officers and men deployed for the operations.
The commandant urged the personnel to be diligent in their duty and professional in arms handling civil during the protest.
He also urged the personnel to provide foolproof security for critical national assets and infrastructure.
The commandant called on parents to warn their wards and children against engaging in an act that would create disharmony in the state and the country.
In his view, Arch. Bishop Philip Orovwuje, the founder, Garden of Life Assembly, Effurun, Delta, said that the youth ought to be patient with the current administration.
He gave the advice on Tuesday in Warri while reacting to the proposed protest, observing that the country had not been able to recuperate fully from the 2020 #ENDSARS protest.
“We should give this government a chance. The country has been bastardised long ago. The cloth that is badly torn, it takes an experience tailor to mend it.
“The fuel subsidy was removed so that there will be more money to run the government. The state governors now receive huge allocations,’’ he said.
Alos, the police command in Kebbi State has called on all groups planning for the peaceful protest to provide proposed routes and assembly points for the protest in the state.
Kebbi State Commissioner of Police Bello Sani made the call while addressing special forces of various security agencies in the state on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi.
“I call on all groups planning for this peaceful protest to provide the command with the following details — proposed routes and assembly points, expected duration of the protest, names and contact details of leaders.
“This will enable the command to provide adequate security during and after the protest, design specific measures to avoid conflict, establish clear communication with protest leaders and minimise the risk of violence and other criminal activities.
“The Kebbi State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, will not hesitate to clampdown on any group of people that might attempt to cause disturbance of public peace or unwanted destruction of critical public infrastructures in the disguise of peaceful protest in Kebbi,’’ he said.
Sani appealed to the protester to work closely with the police and other security agencies and follow the law and adhere to the international standards for peaceful assembly.(NAN)
