The Yoruba Obas Forum, comprising prominent traditional rulers in the South-West region, has appealed to Nigerian youths to cancel the planned #EndBadGovernance protest scheduled for August 1.
The traditional rulers urged the youths to engage in constructive dialogue with the government instead of protesting, which could lead to violence.
In a statement, the YOF acknowledged the frustrations and challenges faced by Nigerians but emphasized the importance of approaching these issues through dialogue. They warned against exploiting the protests for malicious purposes and cautioned against disrupting the existing peace and stability, according to Peoples Gazette.
The traditional rulers pointed out that the country cannot afford another unrest, considering its current state, and noted that the present administration is working to improve the lives of citizens.
They urged President Bola Tinubu and other political officeholders to address hunger and the disconnect between ordinary Nigerians and the ruling class.
The YOF emphasized that dialogue, round table conferences, and collaboration are more effective solutions than protests, which could lead to destruction of lives and property.
They encouraged youths to consider the broader implications of their actions on national stability and progress.
“As your fathers, we earnestly appeal to you all to shelve the planned protest in the interest of our dear nation,” the traditional rulers said.
“As traditional rulers, we too understand and aware of the frustration and challenges faced by many Nigerians, but it is essential to approach these issues constructively and with dialogue,” the Yoruba rulers said.
The forum added, “Protest has never been a solution for nations to solve their challenges, but rather an avenue for the destruction of human lives and property. We Yoruba Obas Forum acknowledged the role of protests in a democracy and that is why we are warning against those who might exploit these events for malicious purposes as certain groups are looking to use this protest to invite violence and crime.
“Please, do not let non-state actors disrupt already existing peace and stability of our land, please be cautioned. While protesting is your democratic right, please consider the broader implications on our national stability and progress. Dialogue, round table conference and collaboration are far more effective solutions and antidote.”
The forum pointed out that “we are aware that there is hunger, insecurity and unemployment in the land, but the signals out there clearly indicate that another nationwide protest will definitely plunge this nation into more economic mess and insecurity.”
The traditional rulers noted that the country could not afford another unrest, considering the current state of the nation.
According to them, the present administration is relatively young and working tirelessly to improve the common man’s life in an enduring manner.
“We traditional rulers in the Yoruba land were deeply worried that a mass protest at this critical time will not do our dear country any good, rather, but can lead to further national disorder.
“Let us all accept dialogue with the Federal Government rather than destabilising the country with protests,” the rulers said.
