Ex-Minister urges caution on planned nationwide protest
The immediate past Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare, has urged Nigerians to exercise caution regarding the planned nationwide anti-government protest scheduled for August 1.
In an recent address, Chief Dare highlighted the lasting impact of the #EndSARS protests, emphasizing the importance of learning from past experiences.
Speaking to Nigerian youths from various political parties during an online engagement on X (formerly Twitter), Chief Dare stressed that while the right to protest is fundamental, it is crucial to recognize the complexities and potential conflicts surrounding the upcoming demonstration.
“The right to protest exists, but you can’t just erase the experience of #EndSARS,” Chief Dare stated. “There are people who still live with the scars. We had casualties in the police force, among civilians, students, and youth, and also several public and private facilities were burnt down. In Ogbomoso, a young boy was killed. It started peacefully, but it later took a different turn, and no one could control it. We must learn from recent history.”
Chief Dare emphasized that protests without identifiable leaders are prone to devolving into mob actions, making it challenging to achieve constructive outcomes. He advocated for organized movements with clear leadership to facilitate engagement, negotiation, and the establishment of timelines.
“Even if the protest is peaceful, you don’t negotiate on the street. The reforms by President Tinubu’s government are on track,” he said. “Our leaders and governors at various levels must be held accountable, as they share in the responsibility and resources from the federal government. It’s a collective responsibility, and we cannot depart from that.”
Chief Dare concluded by reiterating the need for dialogue and critical conversations to take place in appropriate settings, rather than through street protests, to ensure progress and accountability in governance.
