Don’t truncate our democracy, ex-ADC presidential candidate begs protesters

Former Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Dumebi Kachikwu, has urged #EndBadGovernance protesters to sheath their swords and opt for dialogue, explaining that the looting and killings recorded in the past few days call for sober reflection.

Kachikwu, who made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, disclosed that this is not the time for Nigerians to engage in any form of blame game.

He stressed that since no ‘politician’s child’ participated in the mass action or was among the casualties reported in the demonstrations is enough indication the masses are alone in tne struggle.

No fewer than 17 persons were feared killed in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna and Jigawa during Thursday’s #Endbadgovernance protest which was held across the country.

The rally began peacefully but took a violent turn in some cities leading to violent confrontations between the police and the protesters.

Businesses, banks, shopping plazas and some markets did not open for fear of the protests escalating into a crisis.

In Abuja, the demonstration claimed a victim, who was shot dead along the Kubwa expressway.

He said: “We can’t continue killing ourselves. Our streets flow with the blood of the innocent. Over 19 killed in this protest, all for what? No child of any politician or big man was killed. Just the poor, average Nigerian. Only their family members will cry and mourn for them quietly while those who have made billions from this scam laugh to the bank.

“We are witnessing unprecedented hardship right now. The poor can barely eat a meal in two days. Most of us can no longer afford the necessities. The population of the poor is increasing by the minute. We as leaders need to come to a table of equity, justice and fairness to address the plight of the downtrodden immediately.

“Our nation needs healing and for this to happen, all Nigerians must come to equity with clean hands and sincerity of purpose.”

Continuing, the ADC candidate warned opposition parties to proffer solutions to the problems of the country instead of urging the protesters to hold the government to ransom.

Kachikwu also admonished President Bola Tinubu to be broadminded and consult widely instead of striving to run the affairs of the nation alone.

“It is not Tinubu’s problem alone and Tinubu must stop acting like he can do it all by himself. He must show leadership and reach out across party lines to get the best and the brightest to a solution roundtable. God himself reconciled all men to himself through his son, Jesus Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

“We don’t burn our houses because we want to kill rats and cockroaches: sometimes we just need to make our houses clean so that rats and cockroaches will leave on their own. My earnest prayer is that Nigeria will soon work for every one of us,” he stated.