From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Thousands of Nigerian youths under the auspices of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and the EndBadGovernance, yesterday, staged anti and pro President Bola Tinubu across the country, yesterday.
In Abuja, a rally themed, ‘We walk for Democracy, we walk for Renewed Hope,’ saw youths from across the country gathered to express their support for the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and demanded continued commitment to youth empowerment and development.
In his address to newsmen, the youths and Nigerians that gathered at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, the NYCN President, Solomon Adodo, eulogised the heroes and heroines of democracy, especially those who paid the ultimate prize in the aftermath of the June 12 annulment and all those who stood firm in the face of great political persecution.
He said: “Today, we march not as observers of history but as its authors. June 12 did not birth our democracy, it baptised it. It cost countless lives, dreams and tears. The courage of MKO Abiola, the sacrifice of Kudirat Abiola, the bravery of Beko Ransome-Kuti, Alfred Rewane, Bagauda Kaltho, Chima Ubani, Pa Alfred Ilenre and other fallen martyrs, as well as the living heroes, can never be overlooked.
“On Tinubu’s second Democracy Day anniversary, it is pertinent to state that his economic and fiscal reforms are worthy of commendation and are fast yielding a transformative legacy that has rekindled hope for a greater Nigeria.
“He has modelled a unique brand of leadership despite the woes inherited from successive administrations, and he never dwells on the past as an excuse for sensationalism, but rather vigorously addresses the fundamentals required to set the nation back on the path of greatness.
“Amidst the economic turbulence, he has been able to tame the tumorous insecurity challenges with unprecedented breakthroughs, which have revitalised our hope that insecurity will soon be history. A unifier par excellence, he has shown leadership that is accommodating, intentional and resolute, lifting Nigerians, not dividing them.
“We must also acknowledge the stabilising influence of the National Assembly under the leadership of the President of the Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio. The peace that we enjoy in democratic governance today cannot be overemphasised without the instrumental role of a functional and cooperative National Assembly.
“Under his leadership, the legislature has complemented the executive with maturity, dialogue and vision, making the sailing of our national ship smoother under President Tinubu’s watch.
“Equally, we pay glowing tribute to the gallant men and women of the Armed Forces and our patriotic service chiefs. Their sacrifices in the line of duty to protect the territorial integrity of our nation, often at the risk of their lives, deserve more than applause. Their unwavering commitment to peace, stability and security across our land reinforces our confidence in Nigeria’s unity and enduring strength,” they noted.
In Akure, Ondo state, leader of EndBadGovernance protest, Mr Omoyele Sowore, said the peaceful protest was aimed at raising public awareness of citizens’ rights to democratic participation.
Sowore, former presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), in a chat with journalists in Akure, said the protest was also to speak out against bad governance.
He explained that a letter had been written by the group’s legal counsel to the Commissioner of Police on the rights of citizens to hold the peaceful protest.
Sowore, however, alleged that despite the letter, the peaceful protest was disrupted by thugs.
“What is so sad is that a letter had been written by a lawyer to the Commissioner of Police.
“The letter was not to plead with the police that we want to protest, but just to remind them of their duties as policemen to protect people in the country.
“It’s shocking that they failed in that responsibility because they have aided thugs to disrupt this protest.
“The Commissioner of Police promised that something would be done, but we’ve given him a marching order that if something is not done, we’ll come back here and take over the place.
“Nobody has the right to prevent another Nigerian from expressing themselves, and that is why I’m always in the cross hairs of the police, whether the person oppressed is a policeman or whosoever.
“We are not going to accept it. We are not and that’s why we have come here today. These hired thugs came to sabotage and hijack the protest. They came to attack the peaceful protesters,” he said.
Also, Mr Tope Temokun, a human rights activist, said the protesters had formally requested the intervention of police to ensure the safety and protection of peaceful protesters scheduled to take place in Akure.
Reacting, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Wilfred Afolabi, said no policeman would be allowed to associate with thugs.
“With the level of training we have received both locally and internationally, we will not allow any policeman under my watch to have anything to do with thugs.
“So, the allegation that maybe police connived with thugs to attack the group is baseless,” he said.