With three days to the planned nationwide protest by Nigerian youths against the perennial bad governance in the country, a socio-political group, The Collective Movement (TCM), has called for measures to prevent hoodlums from hijacking the situation to perpetrate atrocities.
Mrs. Esther Opaluwah, National Woman Leader of the socio-political group, said in a statement on Monday in Lagos, that both the government and organisers should ensure that security agencies did everything to make the protest devoid of violence.
Opaluwah, in the statement by TCM Media Director, Mazi Ndubuisi Nwachukwu, said the activities of the protesters should be guided by security agencies from its beginning to its ending.
She appealed to the security agencies to protect lives and property by ensuring the protest was peaceful, as they carried out their assigned job professionally.
She advised them not to see the protesters as lesser Nigerians, stressing that every citizen was important to the country and must be allowed to express himself or herself on issues affecting the generality of the populace.
“A lack of transparency and accountability in government; improved economic opportunities and job creation; enhanced security and protection of lives and property, quality education and healthcare for all.
“An end to corruption and impunity, poverty, unemployment, and insecurity are among issues confronting the nation which the protesters are marching against,’’ the TCM National Woman Leader said.
She also called on the federal, state and local governments to urgently pay adequate attention to the myriad of issues affecting the country.
According to her, governments at all levels should engage in constructive dialogue with stakeholders and utilise social media to amplify their messages.
“It is not a bad development for citizens to hold leaders accountable for their actions. We urge all participants in the proposed protest to remain peaceful and law-abiding in their demands for good governance.’’
