Ahead of the 'End Bad Governance' nationwide protest across the country that is planned to commence on August 1, a Niger Delta foremost activist and leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, has called on Nigerians to exercise restraint in the mass action due to security reasons and that the threat has achieved its aims of getting the attention of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

In another development, the President of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba, while attending an Abuja news conference tagged “State of the Nation: What the Federal Government Should Do” on Saturday, July 27, 2024, has appealed to the Federal Government to take urgent steps to address the root causes of the challenges leading to the threat of protest.

It would be recalled that a group of Nigerians had announced plans to embark on a nationwide protest in response to the current economic hardship that was worsened by the removal of fuel subsidy coupled that led to hike in the prices of basic food and household commodities.

Tompolo, who is also the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation, said that while citizens have the right to a peaceful protest, he however noted that the current economic challenges did not begin with the Tinubu administration, he believes is already making efforts to revamp the economy and to address security concerns.

Tompolo, whose appeal follows similar concerns expressed by the National Security Adviser, governors, religious bodies and top traditional rulers in the country, cautioned the organisers of the possibility of the protest being hijacked by individuals with ulterior motives based on security reports, a situation he said could cause more hardship hence his appeal in joining other patriotic Nigerians to engage with the government towards find lasting solutions to the country's problems.

On his part, the INC President cautioned the Federal Government in its handling of the threat of protest to guide against "inflammatory rhetoric and heavy-handed tactics, which could exacerbate tensions and plunge our nation into chaos" but that it should instead “exercise extreme caution in their responses to the agitations.”

While Prof. Okaba noted that the current hardship experienced in the country is of great concern that resulted in the call for protest which could threaten the peace, stability and prosperity of the country, he however advised Nigerians "to play according to the rules and regulations guiding such civil demonstrations" .

The INC President who advocated for transparency and accountability in governance, social justice and equality for all Nigerians, appeal to President Tinubu to, when proffering solutions to the economic challenges, include reforms that would stimulate growth, reduce poverty, insecurity, and violence in the nation.

“From political instability to economic hardship, security threats, social inequality, environmental degradation, infrastructure deficits, corruption, and governance issues, Nigeria is facing a myriad of complex problems that require immediate attention, pragmatic policies and actions by all in and out of government.

“This proposed protest and its consequences are avoidable if only the government takes urgent steps to faithfully address the root causes of the multifarious challenges we face as a nation.

"The root causes are principally that of energy scarcity and expensiveness and the astronomical hike in the cost of basic amenities like foods, housing, transportation, security, health care services and water,’’ he said.

The INC President urged the government to embark on constructive engagement with stakeholders with a view to provide immediate, medium term and long term remedies to the challenges.

“The Federal Government should also ensure security and justice for all, engage in a heart-to-heart conversation with Nigerians, reduce the cost of governance, promote fiscal federalism, diversify the economy, address environmental degradation, tackle corruption among others.

“However, we urge all Nigerians especially the Ijaws and Niger Delta region where the brunt of national hardship is felt to remain peaceful and law-abiding even in the midst of the planned protest if it must hold," he added.

#penglobalcommunity #protest #EndBadGovernance