The Coalition of Pro – Democracy Groups for A Better Nigeria, otherwise known as Coalition of June 12 Activists, has directed its affiliate and non – affiliate Groups at home and in diaspora , not to partake in any planned national protest on the prevalent economic situation in the Country.
The group noted that some groups have been calling on Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to embark on protests over the current economic hardship in the country.
However, the Coalition in a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Away Bamiji submitted that protest is not the panacea to the present economic situation in the Country.
It was added that some members of the opposition wanted to cash on the present economic situation to truncate the nation”s nascent democracy.
The statement commended the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who asked Groups and Nigerians from the South East zone not to partake in any planned protest.
Iwuanyanwu who made his position known on Monday Monday, while addressing newsmen in Enugu, disclosed that he had received entreaties requesting him to call Nigerians from the Southeast zone to join the demonstrations across the country.
“We as Coalition of hundreds of Youths’ and Students’ Organisations, in and outside Nigeria, had equally been approached to make the ongoing “ebi n pawa” protest over economic crisis louder with our army of Youths and Students because records are there for us.
“Everybody can testify to power of Youths and Students in every Nationwide protest in which June 12, 1993, still stands out till Today, simply because strategies are different and we always stand on the path of “truth, which must be said at all times, even if it means you are standing alone” – Gani Fawehinmi
“As your Umbrella Body of Decades, we are directing that no Pro – Democracy Group or Community in Nigeria or the diaspora should join any protest against this government.
“we are still studying the situation of things and we have asked those who made entreaties to us to tell us what their position was before the current administration. – They were all in the Opposition Parties.
“We have asked what they did to demonstrate their patriotism after the general election because election is not “do or die”, as democrats, we must always embrace spirit of sportsmanship at every election.
The current economic crisis in Nigeria is unfortunate. We have already convened a meeting of top Nigerian economists and war experts, home and abroad, to strategise on how to overcome the current economic hardship and security challenge.
These economists and war experts would offer advice to President Bola Tinubu on the economy and security and Civil Societies, being the age long Constituency of Mr President, will continue to rally around the president, just as we did during our 2 – month Tinubu Mandate Protection World Press Conferences and Vigil at Unity Fountain Square, Abuja, between Monday, 27 March 2023, to Monday 29, May, 2023, to ensure that he completes his tenure successfully.
“Just like Igbo, Civil Societies Worldwide are opposed to military rule and prefer a democratic government where we can express our views.
“Youths all over the world are very restive and sensitive to issues affecting their future. In Nigeria, youths and Students from North and West at various times have expressed their dissatisfaction with events in the country and we are appealing to them that it is high time they shielded their swords in the interest of Peace and Tranquility.
“There have been protests in some parts of the country over the current economic crisis like Kano, Niger, Osun and Oyo States.
“On Monday, some youths in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, took to the streets to protest against the high cost of living in the country. The protesters called on President Bola Tinubu to fix the economic crisis.
We are now geniunely calling on those Youths to come forward with their Group’s or individual ideas on how to jointly fix this Country together.
The main reason for his incessant borrowing to survive his 8 year Administration and we must put our feet on ground to jointly break this jinx during this current Administration.
This is only solution because we are all feeling the heat together irrespective of our tribes, religions or Political Parties. This is our Country, whether we like it or not. No place like home, even “Those who travelled abroad out of frustration, “Japa set of People” are confirming this to us on daily basis based on the economic hardship over there because many of them are our committed members.