*Says suffering, hardship too much to bear by Nigerians
*Organizers need to be identified for possible talk with President Tinubu
Barely three days to the August 1 take off date of the proposed planned national protest being organized by some yet-to-be identified Nigerians, a national lawmaker representing Okpe, Sapele, Uvwie Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Benedict Etanabene, has expressed support for the proposed exercise, if and only if, the organizers could come out openly to assure Nigerians that it would be peaceful and devoid of violence.
Hon. Etanabene who fielded questions from newsmen in Effurun today (28/07/24), stressed that the right and freedom to protest is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), adding that the Constitution also clearly provides that any such protest must be peaceful.
The national lawmaker who is also a lawyer and a farmer, stated that the proposed protest is a legitimate means of sending a message to the leadership of the country, expressing the pains from the extreme hardship Nigerians are experiencing at this critical time.
He however expressed support for the proposed strike on the proviso that the organizers must come out to be identified and they must assure Nigerians that the exercise shall be peaceful.
“The Constitution guarantees anybody who is a citizen of this country to lead peaceful protest. Peaceful protest is one of the hallmarks of democracy. We cannot run away from it. But the constitution in its own wisdom clearly emphasized peaceful protest.
“Protest is one of the means through which the citizens can communicate to government when they not happy with certain government policies. It is guaranteed by the constitution and even, it is one of the ways God gave to man to speak. So, I don’t have a problem with that.
“My advice is that in the course of a peaceful protest, there should not be violence. It should not be turned to riot. It should not be like the Kenyan experience, it doesn’t take us anywhere. It worsens the situation the more”, he said.
Etanabene recalled the EndSARS experience of October, 2020, saying that the protest negatively affected many Nigerians, their properties and businesses.
“Many persons are scared of saying anything about the other side of EndSARS. Many of us who are farmers couldn’t get products to our farms and our birds, pigs and others died. So, the effects of these protests is not what we want to repeat again. And Nigeria is in such a volatile situation – the hunger is unbearable, the hardship is unbearable. So, I wish them a peaceful protest”, he said.
Etanabene however stressed that he would have wanted the representatives of the protest to be identified so that they could have a talk with the President.
He said he was interested in the protest and would want to be part of it if only it will be peaceful, adding that he is also feeling the pain.
“But I would also have wished that we know the representatives so that we can talk to them. I am interested in participating in the protest. I am interested if only it is going to be peaceful. Why not? I’m feeling the pain. And I feel for all Nigerians.
“So, I appeal to them. If they must embarked on the protest, then it must be peaceful. Let it be well organized and get their representatives to talk to government.
“I offer myself, if I can know their representatives and if they want to talk to government, I can get across through the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and an avenue will be created for them to talk to the President”, Hon. Etanabene concluded.
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