Ooni, others urge organisers to embrace dialogue

Traditional Rulers in Nigeria on Thursday asked the organisers of #EndBadGovernance protests to channel their frustrations into meaningful dialogue with the Federal Government.

They also warned against the possibility of the protests being hijacked by elements whom, they say, mean no good for the country.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who co-chairs the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, said this when he addressed journalists after an expanded cabinet meeting at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.

“People that are out there to protest, it is their civic right. But let them put a face to it, and don’t let it be hijacked by people that have ulterior motives. That is our stand.

“We traditional rulers are not in support of people, especially youths, coming out to loot and break down law and order. We condemn such acts fully.

“We are parents. We are traditional rulers. We are closer to them. We are going to go back home and continue to engage them,” the Ooni said.

His remarks follow growing calls for nationwide protests against economic hardship, scheduled for August 1 – 15, 2024.

Thursday’s meeting was part of last-ditch efforts by the Federal Government to engage critical stakeholders to avert what it perceives as a brewing crisis.

The Ooni, who promised that the traditional rulers would engage their people back home, appealed to organisers to embrace dialogue, saying the government remains open to talking.

“The President has said, ‘Any leader that you don’t like, wait (until 2027) and vote him out.’ He is open to dialogue. We know that Nigeria faces many challenges. But are we going to destroy our nation by ourselves? Is that what we’re all after?

“It is very difficult to build, but it is the easiest to destroy. We are all stakeholders in this country and are stronger as a nation than individually.

“We should talk to ourselves. We need to know that today, it’s a completely different spin. The government, ably led by the President, is willing to engage and dialogue and bring governance very close to the people,” he explained.

Oba Adeyeye said the meeting was the first instance where the Federal Executive Council engaged directly with traditional rulers.

“Stewardship from the Federal Executive Council, directly to the traditional rulers? It has never happened in our nation before. Never! This is the first time we’re all experiencing it.

“Today is the very first time we will be addressed properly by the Federal Executive Council…in terms of the plans of government, their achievements so far, and where they’re having challenges. So, there is a proper bridge between the governed and the people in charge of government.

“For the very first time, the traditional rulers were properly engaged. This is long-awaited. We’re closer to our people and can bring that feedback back home. So, it’s a beautiful take home for us because we don’t lock our palaces; we are more exposed to the people we rule over,” he narrated, thanking Tinubu for the approach.

On his part, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, Ikenchukwu Keagborokuzi I, appealed to Nigerian youths to work with the FG using all available opportunities.

Keagborokuzi, who described Nigerian youths as the nation’s strength, acknowledged the displeasing challenges confronting them but said that the #EndBadGovernance protests would not solve the nation’s problems.

“Hearing from Mr. President directly, the take-home message for me is that I can see the passion. But at the same time, I think the government is finally understanding we are at the precipice.

“We will listen to our youths because they lead the future. The power and strength of Nigeria certainly lie with the young people. We feel your pain. I’m a young person myself.

“It’s been 24 years since I’ve started seeing the nation going in a very unpalatable direction. This protest, I know that it’s very tight in our neck, but let us not destroy our own country,” said the traditional ruler.

He cited the aftermath of the Arab Spring in Libya, urging Nigerian youths to reconsider the planned protest.

“Think of Libya. Libya was a beautiful country; what has happened to Libya, we don’t want it to happen here.

“Let’s go home. Let’s continue to strive to be the best that we can and continue to work with the government to see if we can offer some solutions.

“I think that that would be best rather than to destroy property or injure ourselves,” he advised.

The Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli, said the insecurity in the north remains the bane of Nigeria’s food crisis. Therefore, then FG must address insecurity head-on to stabilise the country.

“We have made it very clear to him [President Tinubu] that the main problem in this country, especially the north, is insecurity.

“If the security situation is addressed, certainly people will go back to their farms, and the issue of hunger will drastically reduce and disappear,” said Bamalli.

The Emir revealed that the traditional rulers were worried about the protests as they could shut down the country.

He argued, “Nobody will be worried about the protest. We have seen what has happened in other climes, and governments have been brought down.

“As an ex-diplomat, I have seen what happened in other climes, and that is why I am in the position to say what happened in other places.”

He urged Nigerians to “exercise patience and to listen to the words of wisdom. We are very optimistic Nigeria will bounce back to its former position as the leading country in Africa.