Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has expressed his condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the ongoing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests across the country, while urging peace from the protesters.
In a statement released on Friday, Obi addressed the tragic loss of life and emphasized the importance of peaceful demonstrations.
Obi stated, “I wish to extend my sincerest condolences to the families of all those who have lost their lives in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests. I deeply mourn these brothers and sisters of ours, who have lost their lives in their struggle for a better nation.”
Acknowledging the protesters’ demands, Obi expressed hope that their voices would be heard, saying, “I do hope that their legitimate demands, within the law, will not go unanswered.”
The former Anambra State governor urged protesters to maintain a peaceful approach, stating, “I will continue to urge the protesters to remain calm and peaceful in their actions. I encourage them to avoid every form of violence, as we cannot build a new nation by destroying what we already have.”
Obi also called on security agencies to exercise restraint in their response to the protests.
“I also call on the security agencies to remain civil in their response to the ongoing protests,” he said.
Obi further expressed optimism about Nigeria’s prospects.
“I sincerely believe in my heart that Nigeria will rise again in the future, and the issues of hunger, poverty, insecurity, corruption, and mismanagement of public funds will be confined to the past. Then, Nigeria will be one of the exemplary countries on earth, leading in human and national development,” he stated.
It was reports that the #EndbadgovernanceinNigeria protest started on Thursday with at least 17 people feared killed as violence erupted in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna, and Jigawa states.
Businesses and banks were shut down, while major roads were deserted.
The protest continued on Friday as the police and protesters clashed in different parts of the country.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian military has announced that it will intervene if violence escalates further in some states during the ongoing nationwide protest.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, made this announcement during a press conference in Abuja, stating that the military would step in to control the looting and violence being witnessed in some parts of the country.
