From Paul Osuyi
A traditional ruler in Delta State, Obukowho Monday Whiskey (Udurhie I), the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, has passionately appealed to Nigerian youths to shelve the planned nationwide protest over hardship beginning August 1.
The monarch, a veteran journalist, acknowledged the constitutional rights of citizens to protest, but noted that going ahead with the planned protest would plunge Nigeria into further economic mess and insecurity.
Saying that the pervasive hunger and insecurity across the regions should bother all and sundry, the royal father stressed the need to constructively look inward for better solutions to the myriad of challenges rather than resorting to protest.
Addressing the youths in a statement, he also called President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the core issues of hunger and the deep disconnect between ordinary Nigerians and the ruling class.
The statement reads in part: “As a revered traditional ruler in this country, I know it is a constitutional right of every Nigerian, as enshrined in our constitution, to protest.
“I also know there is hunger, insecurity, and unemployment. But as a veteran journalist and media manager with over three decades of experience, the signals out there clearly indicate that another nationwide protest will plunge this nation into more economic mess and insecurity.
“As your father, I earnestly appeal to you all to shelve the planned protest in the interest of our nation. We cannot afford another #EndSARS unrest now, considering the current state of our nation. Our collective decision to work for sustainable peace by addressing growing insecurities should be our top national discourse.
“Anything that will further divide the country should be discouraged by the government, which should work out modalities to address the critical hunger in our land. Mass protests cannot and should not be provoked as an option to address the needs of the masses.
“Peace and dialogue remain the win-win choice over mass protests that can easily be hijacked by the depraved. Let peace and unity reign supreme in our dear land.
“As a royal father who has been at the forefront of advocating for the creation of jobs, the establishment of companies, revamping the agricultural sector, and the building of a prosperous nation, amongst others, for our Nigerian youths, I know your demands are germane and are a true reflection of the current economic reality in the country.
“Therefore, I wish to appeal to all Nigerian youths, particularly Niger Delta youths, to dialogue with the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu on the basis of national interest.”