Reps demand immediate suspension of protests

The House of Representatives Committee on Interior has advised Nigerians to suspend the ongoing nationwide protests against “bad governance”.

The committee chairman, Abdullahi Aliyu, gave the charge in a statement on Monday, August 5.

The lawmaker urged demonstrators to embrace dialogue with the government on plans to meet their demands.

Aliyu noted that protest is usually the last resort, adding that street marches can easily be hijacked by enemies of the country.

“In the light of reports of looting, destruction, and loss of lives in some parts of the country, I use this medium to beseech all our brothers and sisters to kindly withdraw from the protest and embrace dialogue as a more civilised alternative to drive our demands home for the collective well-being of all Nigerians,” he said.

He disclosed that the voices of demonstrators have been heard, and both states and Federal Governments must put in place various measures to address the nation’s challenges.

While noting that the right to peaceful protest is enshrined in Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, Aliyu said the looting, killing, and destruction of public and private properties serve as a serious threat to the national economy, growth, and development.

He expressed worry that some hoodlums and “unscrupulous elements have hijacked the protest, looted, and destroyed critical national economic assets, stating that such nefarious activities would further compound the problems in the country.

The lawmaker suspending the protest would prevent criminal elements from further hijacking the process.