A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ambassador Abayomi Mumuni has appealed to the organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protests to leave the streets and dialogue with the government.
Mumuni made this declaration via a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday.
Recall that the nationwide protests against widespread hunger and scarcity of essential commodities across the country started on Thursday.
Our correspondent gathered that the protest has been peaceful in some states while it has resulted into the loss of lives and the destruction of property worth millions of naira in some states.
Mumuni in his reaction, advised the protesters to suspend the protests and embrace dialogue with the federal government to bring about the desired change.
The APC chieftain in the statement signed by his Media Aide, Rasheed Abubakar, stated that the protesters should send their representatives to present their demands and dialogue with the government.
Mumuni maintained that the national broadcast addressed by President Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday was enough for the protesters to shelve the protests because Mr. President meant well for the country.
The statement read, “All of us are aware that things are not going smoothly for many Nigerians and that is why people are protesting. But the truth is that Tinubu is a listening President. He feels our pains and doing everything possible to address the challenges bedevilling the country.
“The solution isn’t violent approach but rather dialogue and engagement which the government is ready to do.
“In his address, Tinubu talked about dialogue. He was able to tell the people that there is a need to dialogue with the government.
“So, what I am saying is that the protesters should leave the streets, they should dialogue with the government. They should send their representatives and go an dialogue with the President, they should present their demands to the President. From there all the issues will be addressed. So, that will promote peaceful co-existence and harmony in the country.
“Mr President broadcast: and message regarding citizens’ protests can have several advantages. Firstly, it offers President Bola Tinubu an opportunity to directly address the concerns of the citizens, acknowledge their grievances, and assure them that the government is working towards addressing these issues.
“This can help in de-escalating tensions and fostering a sense of communication and understanding between the government and the people.
“Secondly, Mr President’s broadcast is a pedestal to call for calm and peaceful dialogue as a means to resolve any existing conflicts. By urging for non-violent methods of protest and emphasizing the importance of respecting the rule of law, the President can help prevent further escalation of the situation and promote peaceful coexistence.
“Furthermore, the President’s message can serve to provide clarity on the government’s stance on the issues being protested, outlining steps that have been taken or will be taken to address these concerns. This can help in building trust and transparency between the government and the citizens, showcasing a commitment to accountability and responsiveness.
“Lastly, a broadcast by the President can also serve as a platform to highlight the importance of unity and national solidarity. By emphasizing the need for all citizens to work together towards a common goal of progress and development, the President can help foster a sense of national pride and identity, transcending individual differences and promoting a collective vision for the country’s future. However, Nigerians shall come over the hardships pretty soon, as in God we put our trust”.
