By Abubakar Yunusa
Ahead of the planned August 1 nationwide protest, The Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU), Abuja chapter, has dissociated itself from the exercise.
The Union urges the government to review some of its policies and ensure that citizens are happy.
It also called on the president to restore the fuel subsidy until such a time that our refineries (public and private) are fully functional and in a position to meet our local demand for consumption.
At the press conference in Abuja yesterday, the Chairman of the branch, Mr Titus Musa, said they are not convinced that the planned protest is driven by a patriotic desire to move the nation forward.
He said the protesters’ organizers and sponsors are faceless, and their agenda from all indications is sinister and ill-motivated.
“If we may ask, why now?” Given our bitter experiences with protests in the recent past, we strongly believe that the planned protest is not expedient at this critical juncture to proffer the remedies needed to address the current challenges confronting us as a nation.
He said, “What we see is the outpouring of emotions driven by primordial sentiments. Therefore, we must be careful not to trigger outcomes that will turn out to be the albatross to our national unity.
“We must be careful not to discard the good with the bad.
Those who are quick to reference the Kenyan experience must realize that each country is unique and different even if we share some common complexities.
“We therefore appeal to the youths to explore and seek alternative means to dialogue with the government at all levels of governance.
“We appeal to the government on the other hand to ensure an open-door policy that will enhance dialogue and citizen’s engagement.”
Musa said the government must continue on the path of inclusive and responsible governance and those saddled with the responsibility of governance must demonstrate empathy and concern for the people in both their private and public conduct.
While we have patriotically taken the position to dissociate our Union from the protest, we must not fail to acknowledge that Nigerians are undoubtedly going through excruciating pains and hardships.
“Any policy that does not prioritize the welfare and security of the people is therefore not worth it.”
