Victor EzejaThe Department of State Services (DSS) has asserted that the proposed nationwide protest is political motivated, and the long-term objective of the planners is to achieve regime change at the centre by removing President Tinubu from office.
Prime Business Africa reports that some Nigerians are organising nationwide protests in response to economic hardship in the country.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe protests are scheduled to take place from 1st to 10th August across the country.
In a statement signed by DSS spokesperson, Dr Peter Afunanya, the Nigerian secret service said it has confirmed that some elements are planning to hijack the protest and cause chaos and extreme violence across the country.
Afunanya said: “It has also identified the reason behind the protest to be political. The plotters desire to use the intended violent outcome to smear the federal and sub-national governments; make them unpopular and pit them against the masses. The long term objective is to achieve a regime change, especially at the Centre.”
He added that the DSS has also identified, among others, the funding lines, sponsors of the protest and the collaborators.
The agency said it, however, it thinks that use of force by the government should not be the first line of action. According to the service, the best strategy for now should “be non kinetic approach, and conflict resolution strategies, including moral suasion, stakeholder engagement and other multi-track diplomatic shuttles, to dissuade the planners from actualising their undesirable objective.”
Noting that peaceful protest is a democratic right of citizens, the Service, therefore, warned all the protest groups to avoid any form of action that could lead to anarchy and destruction of properties across the country.
It further stated that while the different levels of government have routinely explained their agenda to ameliorate the current harsh economic conditions, the prospective protesters should “listen to the voice of reason, good conscience and patiently engage with the authorities, in the interest of peace.”
“This has become important given that violence begets destruction of lives and property as well as serve as a distraction to governance. The agitators are encouraged to use ample ways available to them to channel their grievances without resorting to violence,” the statement added.
DSS also called on various stakeholders including Leaders of Thought, Captains of Industry, Labour Unions, Student Associations, Youth Leaders, the Civil Society, Clergy, NGOs, Women groups, Civil Servants and Politicians to shun any invitation to participate in any exercise that could lead to violence, as they are deliberately designed to cause disaffection in the country.
The agency also urged parents, guardians, heads of traditional and academic institutions to advise their children, wards, subjects and students not to participate in the planned protest.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Govt Begs Citizens To Shelve Planned Nationwide Protest
Prime Business Africa had reported that the Federal Government appealed to the protest planners to withdraw their plan and give government sometime to resolve the problems in the country fuelling the agitation.
Also, the Nigerian military on Thursday, disclosed that it has got intelligence that the protest may be highjacked by hoodlums to cause chaos and anarchy.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba said the military would not watch the country descend into anarchy.
The defence spokesperson, who stated that the attempt is to replicate what happened in Kenya in Nigeria, declared that the military would ensure that there is no break down of law and order.
There are reports that some individuals promoting the protest have been arrested by the DSS in some States like Kano and Sokoto.
Presidential of the African Action Alliance, in 2023 general election, Omoyele Sowore, who is also one of the leading promoters of the proposed protest has called for their released.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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