The ongoing protests in some parts of Northern Nigeria have been hijacked by hoodlums and thugs and thereby causing the death of innocent citizens. This is painful and sad indeed. I want the organisers of the ongoing protests in the North to mandate their protesters to suspend the ongoing protests following the loss of lives, the looting and damage of government properties. I want the organisers of protests in the North to emulate President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. I want to remind them about the statement made by the former president after the announcement of the results of president election in 2015. Former president Goodluck said, “No one’s political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen.”
Of a truth, former President Jonathan remains a peace-loving Nigerian leader. We all loved him for the bold step he took to accept the defeat and ask his followers not to protest. If a protest was allowed, many citizens would have died during the protest.
Though the president has addressed Nigerians including the protesters to suspend the ongoing protests, the president’s speech is not enough as the protesters want the president to end hunger. Nigerians want the presidency to take urgent action to address the economic hardship and security challenges facing Nigerians. The police must be warned to stop using live bullets at the protesters. Police are expected to protect the lives of the protesters as stated in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2011 as amended.
Jimoh Mumin, Ibadan
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