Babatunji Wusu –
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has urged the Federal Government and security agencies to handle the upcoming nationwide protest, scheduled from August 1 to August 10, with caution.
Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President of the INC, issued this advice during a news conference in Abuja on Saturday, titled “State of the Nation: What the Federal Government Should Do.”
Okaba stressed that the Federal Government should avoid inflammatory rhetoric and heavy-handed tactics that could escalate tensions and lead to chaos.
“As our nation faces the possibility of widespread protest amid unprecedented national hardship, the INC urges the Federal Government and security agencies to exercise extreme caution in their responses,” Okaba said. “We advise against inflammatory language and harsh measures that could worsen the situation and plunge our country into further turmoil.”
He also called on all Nigerians to remember that peaceful protest is a lawful right, provided it adheres to the regulations governing such demonstrations.
Okaba expressed deep concern about the current state of Nigeria, citing a range of issues including political instability, economic hardship, security threats, social inequality, environmental degradation, infrastructure deficits, corruption, and governance challenges.
“These complex problems require immediate, pragmatic policies and actions from both government and society,” he said. “The proposed protest and its potential consequences are avoidable if the government takes urgent steps to address the root causes of our nation’s challenges.”
He identified key issues such as energy scarcity, high costs of basic necessities like food, housing, transportation, healthcare, and water as primary concerns. Okaba urged the government to engage constructively with stakeholders to provide immediate, medium-term, and long-term solutions.
“Using brute force or oppressive measures will only intensify the current level of hardship and repression,” Okaba warned.
He appealed to the Federal Government to implement economic reforms to foster growth, reduce poverty, and address insecurity and violence. He also emphasized the need for transparency, accountability in governance, social justice, and equality for all Nigerians.
“The Federal Government should ensure security and justice for all, engage in open dialogue with the people, reduce governance costs, promote fiscal federalism, diversify the economy, address environmental issues, and tackle corruption,” Okaba said.
Finally, he urged all Nigerians, particularly those from the Ijaw and Niger Delta regions where the impact of national hardship is felt most acutely, to remain peaceful and law-abiding during the planned protest. “We also encourage all Nigerians, regardless of tribe, religion, or political affiliation, to unite and work towards a better future for our nation,” he concluded.
