Adamu Abuh, Abuja
259 civil society organisations, under the aegis of the Coalition for Transparency and Economic Reforms (COTER), yesterday, said the planned protests against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are another #EndSARS violence in disguise.
The Guardian reports that the protests, which are expected to start on August 1, will last for two weeks, terminating on August 15.
COTER’s National Coordinator, Adeshina Animashaun, on Sunday warned the organisers of the nationwide protests to be prepared for confrontation by law-abiding Nigerians under the aegis of the #ProtectNigeriaRally.
The group urged organisers of #EndBadGovernance to desist from going ahead with their threat to cause chaos in the manner the country witnessed during the October 2020 #EndSARS violence.
COTER further warned #EndBadGovernance organisers that it will not allow any individual or group of persons to unleash terror upon innocent and law-abiding citizens of Nigeria under the guise of protesting against bad governance.
The coalition alleged that some aggrieved politicians and their allies who have lost out in the power game under the current dispensation had been identified as the brains behind the planned nationwide protests targeted at the incumbent government under Tinubu.
The pro-democracy group disclosed that they will be joining other law-abiding citizens in the #ProtectNigeriaRally scheduled to take place all over Nigeria on the same dates as the planned nationwide protests by #EndBadGovernance.
The Coalition vowed to stop the #EndBadGovernance group’s plan to carry out the anti-Tinubu nationwide protests in any part of the country.
COTER said, “We issue a stern and clear warning to potential enemies of the state, disruptors, and those who want to instigate violence and upset lawful businesses.
“We shall join other law-abiding Nigerians to participate in the #ProtectNigeriaRally which will take place from August 1st to 15th. Our Coalition will be on the ground to protect Nigeria, Nigerians, and businesses. In the streets, markets, and other public spaces, we will confront violent protesters, apprehend them, and hand them over to law enforcement officers. More details regarding logistics and organisational plans will be shared via our social media platforms.”
COTER has therefore called on the Federal Government and the various security agencies in the country to act swiftly to prevent the planned nationwide protests by #EndBadGovernance, which it described as another #EndSARS violence in disguise and a disaster waiting to happen.
Recall that #EndBadGovernance had recently announced August 1 to 15 as the dates for Nigerians to protest against the administration of President Tinubu over alleged failings of the current government.
#EndBadGovernance, which has since been mobilising Nigerians on social media for the proposed anti-Tinubu nationwide protests, has urged citizens to storm the streets to carry out another #EndSARS-like demonstration and violence.
COTER, at its press conference, however, raised the alarm that the utterances of the organisers of #EndBadGovernance so far on its planned nationwide protests could ignite violence and chaos throughout the country, just as it happened during the October 20, 2020 #EndSARS riots in which several lives and property worth trillions of Naira were lost across Nigeria.
The coalition, therefore, urged security agencies to immediately nip these burgeoning protests in the bud before they become a conflagration and consume innocent citizens and property as it did during the October 2020 #EndSARS violence.
COTER drew the attention of Nigerians to the fact that hoodlums and other unscrupulous elements are patiently waiting to hijack such protests being planned by #EndBadGovernance, which it accused of hiring and even arming the hoodlums to unleash violence on innocent people under the guise of protesting against the current government.
The coalition also warned Nigerian youths not to allow themselves to be deceived by the organisers of #EndBadGovernance to partake in the planned protest to avoid a situation where they could become “cannon fodder” or “collateral damage” in the event of any faceoff with security agencies during the illegal action by #EndBadGovernance.
COTER also enjoined parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against taking part in the proposed anti-Tinubu protests to avoid regrets later.
COTER added, “The survival of our dear country, Nigeria, is a task that must be paramount in the minds of every patriotic citizen. We must avoid acts that can jeopardise the continued corporate existence of our dear fatherland.”
