Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has voiced her support for the planned nationwide protest by young Nigerians, citing the prevalent economic hardship and demands for better governance as legitimate reasons for the demonstration.
In a statement titled “My Position on the Nationwide Protest of our Young Citizens,” Ezekwesili acknowledged the distress faced by many citizens, particularly the youth.
“All reasonable people know that the majority of our citizens – especially the young ones – are distressed on many counts, from the biting economic hardship that is prevalent in the country today,” she stated.
“They blame it on bad governance and are therefore demanding an end to it.”
Ezekwesili criticized the responses from politicians and public officials, describing them as undemocratic and lacking empathy.
“Unfortunately, the language and actions of politicians, public officials, and their allies to the distress of citizens are far from democratic and empathetic,” she remarked.
She urged the federal and state governments to refrain from threatening citizens who wish to exercise their constitutional rights through peaceful protest.
“I hope the @NigeriaGov and its allies can quickly and wisely cease from threatening those among our citizens who wish to exercise their constitutional right of expression, association, and movement through a nationwide protest,” she said.
Ezekwesili called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and governors to see the planned protests as an opportunity to engage with dissatisfied citizens.
“Use this opportunity of the planned protests to engage your dissatisfied and disaffected young citizens with utmost civility,” she advised.
She outlined two key actions the government should take:
- Ensure Safety and Support: “Ensure that the protesters are protected and supported by the @PoliceNG and related agencies like the Civil Defense Corp to protest peacefully and orderly in presenting their demands and agitations to the authorities. Be guided by the terrible lessons of the mishandling of #EndSARSProtests.”
- Provide a Clear Plan: “Respond to the protesters with a convincing pathway and plan to achieve good governance on each specific issue they are protesting against or for at this time.”
Ezekwesili concluded by urging public officials to listen and learn from the citizens, highlighting the importance of humility in governance.
“I hope that our politicians and public officials will heed counsel and allow themselves the humility of listening and learning from their citizens at a time like this,” she stated, wishing the protesters a “well-organized, orderly and peaceful protest.”
The planned protest, driven by frustrations over economic hardships, is set to take place nationwide in August, with young Nigerians leading the call for change.