Nationwide protest not in national interest — Third Republic lawmakers

The class of Third Republic lawmakers has called on the planners of the nationwide protest slated for 1 August 2024 to shelve their agitation, stating that the rally is not in the nation’s interest.

The group made this statement during a press conference at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Friday.

According Online reports that the Third Republic of Nigeria refers to the short-lived political era in Nigeria between 1992 and 1993. It was an attempt to transition from military rule to civilian government.

Accompanied by incumbent lawmaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, who was first elected into the federal parliament in 1992, the group called for support for the Bola Tinubu-led government, noting that the rewards of the government’s ongoing policies will begin to manifest soon.

Speaking at the event, the leader of the group, Mr Basil Okafor, said the negative impacts of the protest are likely to outweigh any potential benefits.

“While the right to protest is an integral part of any democracy, it is essential to acknowledge the negative consequences that can arise when protests are conducted in a tense atmosphere, considering the prevalence of drug use among the youth.

“Typical and recent examples of what to expect were seen in Kenya and Uganda, which we believe the planners wish to emulate and perpetrate in Nigeria.

“Protests, when carried out peacefully and responsibly, have the power to bring attention to important social, political, and economic issues. They allow voices to be heard, encourage dialogue, and promote change.

“However, in a society already burdened with tension, protests can exacerbate existing problems, further dividing people and escalating tensions,” Okafor said.

The protest, according to the group, is capable of breeding unrest, with unpredictable consequences.

“It is important to recognise that a tense society is often characterised by polarised opinions, conflicting ideologies, and deep-seated emotions. In such an environment, protests can easily become breeding grounds for violence and unrest. The frustration, anger, and resentment that lie beneath the surface can erupt into chaos, undermining the very purpose of the protest and causing harm to individuals and property.

“Secondly, the ills of protest in a tense society lie in the potential for manipulation and exploitation by various stakeholders. In times of tension and strife, extremist groups or political factions may exploit protests to further their agenda. They may infiltrate peaceful demonstrations, incite violence, and spread misinformation, leading to a distortion of the original purpose of the protest and the dilution of its message.

“Protests conducted in a tense society often result in a breakdown of communication and dialogue. Instead of fostering understanding and empathy, they deepen divisions and create an ‘us versus them’ mentality. People from opposing sides become entrenched in their positions, refusing to listen or engage in meaningful conversation. The very essence of a protest, the desire for change and progress, becomes overshadowed by animosity and hostility,” Okafor added.

The group called on those unhappy with the state of affairs in the country to embrace dialogue with the government to find lasting solutions to the issues they are set to protest about.

Okafor continued, “All stakeholders need to engage in open, constructive dialogue, fostering understanding and empathy, even when faced with opposing viewpoints.

While adding that the President is doing his best to address various issues of national concern, the group regretted that there are no leaders of the planned protest known to the public, which would have made meaningful engagement with them inevitable.

“Just yesterday (Thursday), the President met leaders from various parts of the country, including traditional rulers and religious leaders. Unfortunately, there are no clear leaders of the planned protest, a sign that nobody is ready to take responsibility if the protest turns sour,” he stressed.

Fielding questions from reporters, Ado-Doguwa said the group was not speaking for the Federal Government but urging those behind the planned protest to give peace a chance.

“None of us is here to speak for the government per se or to provide excuses for why this is done or not done. All the 593 of us are saying is that the government should be allowed to work to address this situation.

“This group met, deliberated, and felt we should come out boldly to voice our stance that we are not in support of this alleged national protest because it will be counterproductive. It’s only when we have peace that we can have development,” he added.

“We are pleading with Nigerians to sheathe their swords. We are pleading with whosoever is out on the street trying to create chaos, trying to create disquiet in the economy and the country, to please allow Mr President a chance. We will get there and Nigeria will prosper,” the Kano lawmaker stated.