The World Institute of Peace under the leadership of Dr. Chief Lamina Omotoyosi Kamaludeen has withdraw from the planned to begin on August 1st, 2024 in Nigeria.
This was contained during a press conference with the journalists in Osogbo, by the President of the Organization, Dr. Lamina Omotoyosi Kamaludeen, he described the planned protest as unnecessary.
In his words:
1. We are constrained by the current development in our country in respect to the proposed national protest and we wish to express our concerns about the said protest based on our unsavoury experience with the recent protest in the country as well as based on credible intelligence available to us that has to do with national security and protection of life and properties.
2. To put the record straight, we have participated in several engagements and meetings conveyed by the security agents and traditional rulers ahead the protest, especially in Osun State, which propelled this intervention to save life and properties as peace advocate organisations.
3. For reference purpose, the United States of America, Canada and United Kingdom embassies and High Commission in Nigeria have issued warning signals to investors and their citizens to avoid some flash points in the country and ensure personal safety protection before, during and after the protest.
4. Their Warning was engineered by security reports strongly envisaging breakdown of law and order during the protest.
5. The above mentioned countries have never been known for raising false alarms and engaging in frivolities when it comes to matters bordering on Security and Safety of citizens.
6. This troubling Security Alert activated by these world powers should draw the keen attention of every Nigerian patriot, particularly at this important period of our national life when we are struggling hard to attract investors to key sectors of our economy like oil sector, power sector; infrastructure, information and communication technology sectors, for financial growth and job creation for teeming youths.
7. Another significant reference is the protest mapping of the protest organisers "Take It Back" as espoused by Mr Ebun-Olu Adegoruwa, SAN, to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) indicating 8 states that are participating in the protest out of 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
8. We observed that many geo- political zones, especially the South East Zone, is not participating in the protest among other zones in the country, a development which has suggested ethnic and religion coloration.
9. As a stakeholder, we can not afford to experience the previous massive destruction of life and properties that came on the ills of the hijacked EndSARS protest of 2020.
10. Having regard the above developments and dangerous trend, we want to announce our withdrawal from the planned protest scheduled to start tomorrow, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
11. This withdrawal will affect our youth and student peace advocates cells across Nigeria, and most especially Osun State, the cradle of South West.
12. For avoidance of doubt, we are committed to the fundamental human rights as enshrined in Chapter Four of Nigerian 1999 Constitution as amended, Africa Charter on Human and Peoples Right and United Nation Declaration on Human Rights that guarantee rights to protest and freedom of assembly; but we are opposed to any form of protest that will impose further hunger and complicate the already challenged and emasculated economy.
13. Our own position is peaceful and lawful protest that will draw the attention and force the government at all levels to the current economic crisis facing over 200 million Nigerians by addressing the skyrocketing inflation, high fuel price and expensive food commodities which is the responsibility of all levels of governments, private sector and Nigeria business communities.
14. We are totally opposed to protest calling for the end of Nigeria and elimination of constitution.
15. Our demand is that the President must as matter of urgency address the issue of local refinery to reduce fuel pump price, eliminate artificial scarcity and work hard to crash the inflation.
16. The government must also accelerate efforts to reduce the food scarcity which is the primary source of hardship in Nigeria.
17. We also challenge the state Governors, particularly the Osun State Government led by Governor Ademola Nurudeen Ademola Jackson to justify the over N50billion grants and over N200billion federal allocations accrued to the state in the last one year as well as for palliatives received from federal government just as he should enumerate to the people of Osun the state government's plans and efforts to improve food production.
18. All tiers of government must take responsibility for this hardship at this moment.
19. Finally, we opposed violent ethnic and politically motivated protest in Osun and propose dialogue to address economic hardship in the country and urge the citizens to be vigilant just as we warn unsuspected members of the public against arson and destruction of properties.
20. Thank you and God bless Nigeria.
Post a Comment