SPONSOR AD
Violent protests, inimical to national development – Orelope-Adefulire
Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire
Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun
By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, SSAP- SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has appealed for calm and cautioned against the planned nationwide protest by individuals and groups, warning that it could plunge the country into chaos, impede progress, and undermine Nigeria’s commitment to the 2023 Agenda if not properly managed.
“It is imperative to note that when crises and uncertainties prevail, the focus shifts from constructive dialogue and development to managing chaos,” the SSAP-SDGs said while urging those calling for the protests to embrace dialogue with government and offer sustainable solutions to the prevailing issues in a statement issued on Saturday.
While emphasizing that the right to peaceful protest is guaranteed under Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, she noted that the potential risks and unintended consequences of a leaderless and spontaneous movement warrants careful consideration.
“The possibility of the protest escalating into uncontrollable crises necessitates a cautious approach,” Princess Orelope-Adefulire affirmed while maintaining that meaningful progress can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace, dialogue, and stability as globally recognized and enshrined in Goal 16 of the SDGs. “Therefore, maintaining law and order is paramount,” she added.
- Protest, a covert attempt to truncate democracy, says Fani- Kayode
- Ogun youth group pulls out of nationwide protest after meeting with Abiodun
- Kwankwaso to Nigerians: Seek change through ballot box, not protests
She further noted that the planned protest lacks clear leadership and organizational structure and while spontaneity may appear democratic and inclusive, it poses significant risks: “Without designated leaders to guide and control the protest’s direction, the movement is vulnerable to infiltration by malicious elements. History has shown that leaderless protests can quickly devolve into chaos, resulting in property damage, violence, and loss of lives.”
She pointed out the consequences of such leaderless protests, citing the #EndSARS protest, which resulted in numerous casualties, wanton destruction, and vandalism, leaving many businesses looted, leading to loss of jobs and increasing unemployment in the country.
According to her, Nigeria has not fully recovered from the negative impact of the EndSARS protest.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire noted that while there are challenges like insecurity, terrorism amidst social and economic issues facing the country, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated commitment and willingness to address them even in the face of the global economic downturn.
“What the country needs now is a continuous dialogue and the collective responsibility of the citizenry to support the government in promoting the welfare and security of the people, as stipulated in Section 24(d) of the Nigerian Constitution. This responsibility includes fostering an environment conducive to constructive dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and sustainable development,” Princess Orelope-Adefulire concluded while appealing for careful reconsideration of the decision to embark on the nationwide strike for the safety and unity of the country.
