A former Minister of Education has expressed support for the upcoming nationwide protests scheduled from August 1-10, 2024, urging both federal and state governments to address the situation with civility and empathy.
In a statement titled “My Position on the Nationwide Protest of our Young Citizens,” she emphasized the distress felt by many Nigerians, particularly the youth, amid severe economic challenges.
“All reasonable people recognize that the majority of our citizens—especially the young ones—are grappling with significant distress due to the harsh economic conditions in the country today. They attribute this to ineffective governance and are therefore demanding change,” she stated.
She criticized the responses of some politicians and public officials, calling their actions undemocratic and lacking in empathy. The news of the planned protests has reportedly caused agitation among government officials.
“I urge the Federal Government and its allies to refrain from threatening citizens who wish to exercise their constitutional rights to expression, association, and movement through this nationwide protest,” she said.
She called on the government, including President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and state governors, to use this opportunity to engage with the frustrated youth.
The advocate emphasized the necessity of ensuring protesters’ safety and support from law enforcement agencies to facilitate peaceful and orderly demonstrations.
“Be guided by the hard lessons learned from the mishandling of past protests,” she cautioned.
She also suggested that the government respond to the protesters with a clear plan for achieving good governance regarding the issues being raised.
“Listening and learning from citizens is essential for politicians and public officials at this critical time,” she concluded.
