The Coalition of Pro – Democracy Groups for A Better Nigeria, otherwise known as Coalition of June 12 Activists, has directed affiliate groups and Nigerians, both home and abroad, not to take part in any planned national protest against the ongoing economic hardship in the country.
The coalition made this announcement in the wake of some groups, calling on Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to embark on protests over the current economic hardship in the country.
In a statement signed by its national co-ordinator, Comrade Awa Bamiji on Tuesday, it noted the unfortunate current economic crisis in Nigeria, but stated that Nigerians must live to tackle different challenges including the present situation.
It however informed Nigerians that it has convened a meeting of top Nigerian economists and war experts, home and abroad, to strategise on how to overcome the current economic hardship and security challenge.
According to the coalition, the strategic team would offer advice to President Bola Tinubu on the economy and security, adding that “Civil Societies, being the age long Constituency of Mr President, will continue to rally around the president, just as we did during our 2 – month Tinubu Mandate Protection World Press Conferences and Vigil at Unity Fountain Square, Abuja, between Monday, 27 March 2023, to Monday 29, May, 2023, to ensure that he completes his tenure successfully.”
The group also noted the patriotic disposition of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who recently called on Igbos to shun any protest.
“We must commend the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who asked Groups and Nigerians from the South East zone not to partake in any planned protest,” the statement read in part.
The statement added, “We, as Coalition of Youths’ and Students’ Organisations, in and outside Nigeria, had equally been approached to make the ongoing “ebi n pawa” protest over economic crisis louder with our army of Youths and Students because records are there for us.
“As your Umbrella Body of Decades, we are directing that no Pro – Democracy Group or Community in Nigeria or the diaspora should join any protest against this government.
“We are still studying the situation of things and we have asked those who made entreaties to us, to tell us what their position was before the current administration. – They were all in the Opposition Parties.
“We have asked what they did to demonstrate their patriotism after the general election because election is not “do or die”, as democrats, we must always embrace spirit of sportsmanship at every election.
“Just like Igbo, Civil Societies Worldwide are opposed to military rule and prefer a democratic government where we can express our views.
“Youths all over the world are very restive and sensitive to issues affecting their future. In Nigeria, youths and Students from North and West at various times have expressed their dissatisfaction with events in the country and we are appealing to them that it is high time they shield their swords in the interest of peace and tranquility because military rule or civil war are terrible twins that should not be imagined by any right thinking individual based our our past experience as a nation
“It is clear to us that the leadership of opposition is moving around, instigating individuals and groups so as to fish in the troubled water through military take over or civil war that could claim our innocent lives but to their own credit as opposition.
“Why do we continue to endanger our lives for the comfort of self seeking individuals in our midst as it happened during the spontanous #EndSARS nationwide protests
“The situation that had cost us billions in financial losses and innocent lives were equally lost across the States of the Federation.
“We are now geniunely calling on those Youths to come forward with their group’s or individual ideas on how to jointly fix this country together with Mr President in the areas of security and economy, because he inherited rotten system of administration from his predecessor, who equally met empty treasury in 2015, when he took over from former President Goodluck Jonathan of People’s Democratic Party (PDP). We must put our feet on ground to jointly break this jinx during this current administration.
“This is only solution because we are all feeling the heat together irrespective of our tribes, religions or political parties. This is our country, whether we like it or not. No place like home, even those who travelled abroad out of frustration, are confirming this to us on daily basis based on the economic hardship over there because many of them are our committed members.
“Our strategic team has from now till Tuesday, 11 June, 2024, when they would make their reports public during late President MKO Abiola Epetedo Self – Declaration as 1993 President – Elect @ 30 Anniversary holding inside Freedom Park, Lagos Island East LCDA, Lagos State, at 11am prompt, having Mr President as Guest Speaker on “converting the pain of June 12 election annulment to gain of renewed hope Agenda”.
