As the nationwide protest against bad governance in Nigeria is set to begin today, the Network of Benin Ethnic Nationalities Organisation has called for its cancellation, citing concerns that it could lead to a breakdown of law and order if hijacked by hoodlums.
In a statement, the group urged protesters to heed the wise counsel of the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, who last week advised against the protest and urged citizens to give the government more time to address the country’s problems.
The president of the coalition, Ojo Oghomwen, appealed to community leaders, youth leaders, religious leaders, and parents to persuade their wards not to participate in the protest, which they feared could be hijacked as has happened in previous instances.
“We have seen in the past that planned protests can be hijacked by destructive elements,” Oghomwen said. “This was the case during the 2020 #EndSARS protest and the 2023 cashless policy protest, where Edo State was converted into a destructive battleground.”
The group acknowledged that protesting is a fundamental right enshrined in the Nigerian constitution, but urged citizens to respect the Oba’s advice and avoid engaging in actions that could harm themselves or others.
“Rather than joining forces with those who may seek to disrupt public order, we urge our people to prioritize peace and stability,” Oghomwen said.
Another stakeholder in the organisation, Osaro Iyamu, also emphasized that they were not opposed to the protest in principle, but believed that it was important to respect the Oba’s advice and learn from past experiences.
Meanwhile, Comrade Stephen Imafidon, Director of Students Engagement of the National Association of Nigerian Students, noted that abstaining from the protest did not make them less human, but rather “more human” because they valued peace and tranquility in their state.
