·Arewa youths opt for dialogue
·Traders, ex-Delta warlord, others warn protesters
The October 1 planned nationwide protests are generating mixed reactions as traders and some residents reject the exercise, while others, like the Arewa youths and a former Niger Delta warlord, Godday Smith, are advocating dialogue.
This development comes amid rising tensions between the promoters of the protests and law enforcement agencies, with the police warning against unlawful acts during the planned demonstrations.
The protests, scheduled to coincide with Nigeria's Independence Day celebrations, aim to address pressing national issues, but their execution is now uncertain.
The planned demonstrations have sparked concerns among traders and business owners, who fear that the protest may disrupt commercial activities and pose a risk to public safety.
Against this backdrop, traders, marketers, and shop owners across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, have warned protesters to avoid their business premises, saying they would not be part of the exercise.
Chairman of All Chairmen and Secretaries of FCT Markets and Plazas, Chief Raphael Okorie, in a statement on Friday, said protesters often target shops, markets and plazas, where they often steal and vandalize the premises.
Okorie said: "Nigeria is passing through a difficult phase, and we acknowledge this reality. Though we are not against the protesters, we, however, urge them to jettison the idea. Hoodlums usually take advantage of these protests, and we don't want that.
"And when these hoodlums take over and hijack the process, our members are usually the victims. These hoodlums will attack our shops, plazas, and businesses. This is always a regular thing. It is on this note that we are urging these protesters to jettison the idea. But if they insist, we are warning them to stay away from our businesses. We will not stay back and allow them to destroy our sources of livelihood."
In contrast, Arewa Youth for Peaceful Coexistence is seeking a more constructive approach, emphasizing the need for dialogue to resolve the country's challenges.
The group emphasised the importance of peace, progress, and stability in the country amid ongoing economic challenges.
Addressing the media in Abuja yesterday, the chairman of the group, Comrade Mark Ogah, acknowledged the efforts of the Tinubu administration in implementing policies aimed at improving the nation's welfare.
He, however, expressed concerns about the planned protests, urging young people to reconsider their actions. The youth leader stressed that Nigeria is currently grappling with economic challenges, and a protest of this magnitude could exacerbate the situation, affecting jobs and livelihoods across the nation.
"Protests can often lead to riots. It can disrupt economic activities, halt business operations, and create an atmosphere of uncertainty. Therefore, we must prioritize peace and stability in our city. Instead of engaging in demonstrations, we propose constructive dialogue with the government to address pressing issues such as rising inflation and the removal of fuel subsidies".
While emphasising the importance of national unity, Ogah urged citizens to avoid the October 1st protest and instead embrace dialogue with the government.
"Let us not allow short-term difficulties to distract us from the long-term gains we all stand to enjoy. Constructive dialogue is the pathway for a better future."
Similarly, a former Niger Delta warlord, Godday Smith, has urged ex-agitators under the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, in Niger Delta, to refrain from participating in the proposed nationwide protest.
He said: "I urge all ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region to avoid the proposed nationwide protest. Where there is peace, development thrives in such area and where there is rancour and chaos, development is hampered.
"All ex-agitators should abide by the agreement entered into with the federal government and work for peace of the Niger Delta region and the country at large, we should see peace as a priority for the development of our region".
As the protest date approaches, tensions are expected to escalate, particularly between protesters and security forces as the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Olarenwaju Ishola, has warned intending protesters against unlawful acts during the scheduled Independence Day protests.
The police have a history of responding to demonstrations with force, as seen in the recent #EndBadGovernance and #EndSARS protests in 2020, which resulted in human rights abuses and allegations of excessive force.
Ishola gave the warning during a town hall meeting with stakeholders and security agencies on Friday in Ikeja, Lagos.
While assuring residents of adequate police protection during the planned protests, the CP said the command would live up to its mandate of ensuring that no group or individual is allowed to create chaos or destroy property in the state.
"We are not stopping anybody from protesting, it is your legitimate right. We will protect all so that miscreants do not hijack it, " he said.
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"Protesters should not trample on other people's rights or disrupt public peace. We will not condone any act of lawlessness or violence.
The police boss, however, said the proposed October 1 protest would be restricted to only one location in Lagos State. "The police will enforce the court order restricting the nationwide protests against economic hardship at Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota.
Also speaking, the Director of the Department of State Service in Lagos State, Mr Dapo Amao, said that it was the right of citizens to protest or express their displeasure against the government but must be done in a civilised way.
He said that there was a need to prevent the protest from being hijacked by hoodlums, who are prepared to breach law and order and cause destruction in the state. "We will collaborate with other security agencies to ensure lives and property are secured".
Protesters should not disturb residents from going around without harassment, disturbance and destruction of public peace."
Mr Adedotun Keshinro, the State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, revealed that the Corps is collaborating with other security agencies to protect the lives and property of residents.
"If there must be a protest, it must be peaceful and should not affect the rights of others," he said.
