…As Pro-Buhari group shelves action
By AYO ALONGE
IN solidarity with the scheduled anti-government protest tagged: One Voice, One Nigeria, organised by a civil society organisation, Enough Is Enough, (EIE) which is expected to be led by ace musician, Innocent Idibia (2face), many Nigerians have thrown their weight behind the planned protest.
The protest, which holds on Monday, February 6, according to 2face, is to draw the attention of Nigerian government on the increasing hardship in the country. Ahead of the planned protest, the organisers have adopted “something green” as the dress code.”
Nigerians react
Social media have been awash with comments over the planned protest. While many have expressed support for the action, others say they are not in support.
A public servant, Deji Oso, in his own response to the protest said: “To begin with, Mr. Innocent Idibia (aka Tuface) as a Nigerian has the fundamental human rights to protest lack of good governance and bad leadership in Nigeria. The legal permission he has obtained to exercise such action is in tandem with the provisions of the constitution.”
“Recall that Nigerians willingly elected President Buhari in 2014 because of the confidence reposed in him; albeit, he seems to have failed. He has disappointed most of his followers and citizens; hence, protests evolving from public disenchantments cannot be avoided any longer. This is just the beginning. Nigerians are suffering and may likely begin to showcase their dissatisfactions in violent ways, if care is not taken. It is a common knowledge that when human beings are sufficiently frustrated, they naturally become aggressive. Therefore, the case of Nigerians cannot be an exemption. I am 100 percent in support of the 2face-led protest. I am in support because I am an apostle of good governance and leadership.”
Similarly, Titilayo Adetayo, another civil servant, also expressing support for the protest, added his voice, saying: “I’m in full support. We have got to a stage in this country whereby we need to stand up for ourselves and do the needful.”
On his own part, Sola Fayemi, a banker, said:
“The proposed protest is for Nigerians to lend their voices on the ripple effects of maladministration experienced over time. We cannot shy away from the fact that there have been job losses, months of unpaid salaries, increase in prices of goods and services, high lending rates, loss of value of Naira against the dollar and incessant killing of innocent souls. All these are not going well with the people. I think the protest is for Nigerians to show their grievances on the way we have been governed. Evil will continue to strive if good people decide to fold their arms. Truth must be expressed.”
Prisca Agwu, businesswoman
Well, I am in support of the protest but I am afraid it might not yield any result as has been recorded in the past.
Tochukwu Ubochioma, businessman
I’m in support of it if it’s not politically motivated. There’s nothing wrong in people doing a peaceful rally, but the motive must be right. So they should go ahead, but 2Baba must be ready to face the lashing if we later discover that it’s a politically sponsored move.
Nigerian in diaspora Muyiwa Igbalajobi, also voiced his support: “I was part of the 2012 #occupynaija protest. You cannot prevent the sincere agitation of the masses. I am in full support.
However, Emmanuel Alonge, expressing a contrary opinion on the protest, said: “Hardship is one of the pills that we must swallow for us to get to our promised land. Let’s keep supporting this government and see where they will lead us to”.
Meanwhile, a member of the Pro-Buhari group which had planned a similar protest in support of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari told Sunday Sun that it had resolved to put the action on hold until the President arrives from his trip abroad. We have decided to wait for the president’s arrival before we can do anything. I can tell you authoritatively that the real pro-Buhari movement isn’t staging any rally yet,” the source disclosed.