Former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Bode George, has called on the Federal Government to sue for peace ahead of a planned August 1 protest in the country.
Recent reports indicate that various Nigerian groups are planning a nationwide protest from August 1 to 10, dubbed “10 days of rage,” to address the country’s soaring cost of living and economic hardship.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise News on Thursday, the elder statesman called on the Federal Government not to allow the protest to degenerate into violence.
He said, “We’re in a democratic dispensation, and people must be able to express their feelings about the activities of the government. Nigeria is not a private enterprise. If the people are not happy, let me appeal to both the government and those people who are preparing to do this demonstration. Let there be peace. Please, don’t get violent.
“Go out peacefully and explain yourselves. Let the leaders explain to government because, when you listen to the policies of the government, the way they are manipulating and trying to manipulate economic solutions to the problems is mendacious and absolutely manipulative.”
Speaking further, he added that Nigeria is on the verge of collapse, and mishandling of the protest could degenerate into chaos.
“If you are not feeling the impact of your government, they have the right to exercise their voice. But, I want to plead with Nigerians: we are at the edge of total collapse now. Let them handle this issue with decorum, commitment, dedication, and listening.
“That’s why I said on both sides that I want to appeal to those who want to go on strike: please don’t go into violence. I know you are angry because you are hungry. Let them know; let the president himself see it. If we have been telling him stories that don’t add up, let him see,” he added.
Bode George also reiterated his call for restructuring the nation, stating that there’s a need to revisit the country’s constitution.
His words: “Nigeria is not a microcosm; Nigeria is a massive nation. What is the business of the national government in the state management of the state? We need to go and refigure; we need to go and restructure and reduce the impact of federal government, local government, and states.
“If we don’t restructure, we are wasting our time. I retired as a general, and the military organization requires a pyramid. Directives come from the top to the bottom. But in a democratic dispensation, the powers must come from the base to the top.
“Let’s revisit the constitution that was given to us by the military. It looks completely like a military organization. Power must come from the bottom to the top, not from the top down.”
He called on President Tinubu to allow protesters to exercise their rights and not allow the protest to go the Kenyan way.
“So let us be humanistic; let us have the feelings of the almighty God for the grace of our people. Things are not working. Everything is degrading. I’m not saying we should head into what they did in Kenya.
“Nigeria is more civilised than that, but don’t prevent them from exercising their fundamental right to tell you that we are not happy. The government has to be careful, and all the other agencies should follow them, but don’t shoot at them. Anyone who engages in violence should be isolated, apprehended, and taken away.”
[Vanguard]