A chieftain of New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo has advised organisers of the planned protest across the country not to allow hoodlums to hijack the protest.
Oguntoyinbo said that peaceful protest is lawful, as he dvised the organisers to be peaceful during the protest.
The NNPP chieftain while speaking called on the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allow a peaceful demonstration without military intervention and violence.
He also urged the government to push for reforms which will bring about a government that is accountable, responsive, and capable of driving sustainable development for the benefits and well-being of the masses.
The NNPP chieftain made these declarations via a statement made available to journalists on Monday.
Oguntoyinbo while speaking further, said government should use the demands of the protesters to have a rethink on some of its policies that are affecting and suffocating the lives of the downtrodden people of Nigeria.
He called for restraint from security forces and politicians, urging law enforcement agents to avoid violent confrontations with demonstrators.
The NNPP chieftain who spoke further insisted that the protesters are calling for improved governance rather than an act of defiance against the state.
He urged the federal government to perceive the protests as a national demand for good governance and to allow peaceful demonstrations without military intervention.
He emphasized the need to tackle issues such as power shortages and the deteriorating road networks, budget padding, and electoral misconduct by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He called for substantial reforms, including making refineries functional, addressing excessive electricity tariffs and high bank charges, and supporting resource control. Additionally, constitutional reform, restructuring, and a shift from consumption-based to production-driven policies are critical.
The NNPP chieftain while speaking further also stressed the importance of addressing corruption, unaccountability, inadequate housing, and underfunding in various sectors.
He advocated for a significant reduction in the salaries and allowances of federal and state lawmakers, in line with a recent court ruling mandating the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to adjust legislative remuneration.
He also urged state governments to implement the new minimum wage and resolve any outstanding salaries.
“As Nigerians are awaiting the commencement of a nationwide protest this week Thursday, I am calling on the Federal Government to allow a peaceful demonstration without military intervention and violence.
“I urge the government to push for reforms which will bring about a government that is accountable, responsive, and capable of driving sustainable development for the benefits and well-being of the masses.
“I called on the protesters to demonstrate peacefully and ensure the protests are not hijacked by politicians and hoodlums, the aim of the protests which is a call for good governance should be strictly adhere to.
“Government should use the demands of the protesters to have a rethink on some of its policies that are affecting and suffocating the lives of the downtrodden people of Nigeria.
“I called for restraint from security forces and politicians, urging law enforcement agents to avoid violent confrontations with demonstrators”.
