Kogi residents, stakeholders divided over protest

Some citizens and stakeholders in Kogi have expressed concerns about the planned nationwide protest by some groups on Aug. 1 to draw the attention of the government to what they describe worsening economic crisis.

In separate interviews on Wednesday, most of the respondents in Lokoja, called for understanding on the current economic situation in the country, observing that protest might compound the country’s socio-economic challenges.

The Vice-Chancellor of Salem University Lokoja, Prof. Alewo Johnson-Akubo, cautioned that the proposed protest could be “dangerous at this material time.

“Although times are hard in the country, it will be very unfortunate if we fail to handle the situation well for our liberation and freedom from the prevailing hunger and hardship.

“I believe dialogue between the Federal Government and the organisers of the protest is one sure way to go about the problems than filing out on the streets.

“It’s high time we opened our eyes and do the needful so that we don’t fall into the shoes of Libya and Sudan, which citizens are regretting their actions,”

Also, Mr John Okpanachi from Ofu Local Government Area, said that he was not in support of the protest.

Okpanachi advised that the leadership of the protesters should explore the means of dialogue with the government on the best ways to mitigate the prevailing hardship in the country.

In her opinion, Mrs Joy Daniel, a trader in Lokoja metropolis, expressed fear that the protest would add up to the sufferings of Nigerians.

“Can protest put food on our table? To me, we should be thinking of what can give us food to eat because we are hungry already.

“I support those calling for dialogue with the planned nationwide protesters. Let them sit on a round table to see how the problems we are facing can be tackled for our good,” she noted.

But Dr Ibrahim Nazir, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Ayingba, said “it is the right of the citizens to embark on a peaceful protest within the ambit of the law.

“The removal of fuel subsidy and other economic policies have worsened the living condition of an average Nigerian.

“The various palliatives from the government have not made any difference, rather the situation is getting worse.

“The planned protest by citizens is just a way to show the government that all is not well with them.

“However, this may not be the right step for now due to the implications that may follow it.

“Hoodlums may take advantage and vandalise basic infrastructure due to frustration”.

He said since the government was doing everything within its power to address pending issues, it should be given the benefit of doubt to manifest.

“Thank God that the new minimum wage bill sent to the National Assembly has been passed, and the government is also cutting down costs, among others, the planned protest is not the way to go now,” he advised.

The chairman, Kogi Non-Governmental Organisation Network, Amb. Idris Muraina, noted that the current economic hardship was hitting hard on all citizens.

Muraina said “I believe there should be more coordinated and strategic ways to press home our demands on the current administration without taking the path of open and uncoordinated protest that might be hijacked by hoodlums.

“We have resolved to press home our demands through letters and press releases instead of open protest. At least this will serve as a starting point for us”.

Another contributor, Hajiya Fatima Abdul, a Kogi-based businesswoman, advised the government to allow the protest to go peacefully so that hoodlums would not hijack it.

“This is because everyone is involved in the present hardship. The only solution is for the government to give us food,” she said.