End Hardship in Nigeria now!

End hardship in Nigeria now!

By Bolaji O. Akinyemi

This public communication with Nigerians and LAGOSIANS in particular becomes necessary. This I am doing in consciousness of my duty as the convener of Leaders After God’s Own Spirit Initiating A New State; The LAGOSIANS, in preparation for end hardship in Nigeria protest. The patient dog we were told will eat the fattest bone but the contrary has been our experience as citizens of Nigeria. Our patient dog has gone so lean lacking the energy to wait beyond the 1st day of August. I wish we could be a little more patient on this protest, not because the government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is everywhere begging for time, but because the rumour of possible infiltration of sincere protesters may be overwhelmed by rioters of elements behind our insecurity ordeal. But we have got to do what we got to do! This protest will hold!! If it is only to test, those who found it easy to turn the barrel of guns at youths who were singing the national anthem and holding our flag, which the new national anthem says, shall be our symbol have repented or not.I am here to appeal to His Excellency the Governor of Lagos to rise in defence of the right of the people to protest. It is on him as the Chief Security Officer of the state to ensure that this protest works and I will explain. We have local intelligences gathering that some persons have been paid to hijack the protest. Worse of it is the report that some terrorist elements have infiltrated markets and motor parks in Lagos state waiting for the day of rage to unleash mayhem. Those who were caught on tape brought to Alausa with buses belonging to Lagos State to disrupt the EndSARS protests have been meeting across the state. Would this element in their character be peaceful? No! It is the duty of security agencies to comb Markets and Parks in Lagos this night and next leading to the day of rage and smoke the criminal elements out of their hiding places. Mr Governor must work hand in hand with the Commissioner of Police in Lagos to ensure the safety of protestors.The terrorist elements, if they truly have found their ways into Lagos, can only be here to carry out their dastardly acts that they are very well known for. What nature might this take? We do not know. What is known is; the primary responsibility of government shall be to provide security of life and property”, to this vow, is the commitment of oath of office of elected officials and that of service of all public servants.To this million Naira question I write for the cooperation of His Excellency the Governor of Lagos, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to provide leadership at finding answers to.We need His Excellency the Governor of Lagos State as a matter of emergency to convene a meeting between his Government and interested parties in the protest to work out security modalities for this must-hold protest according to Nigerian youths.Sir, some of the faces on camera bearing machetes who attacked peaceful #EndSARS protesters in 2020 have come out of hiding and are reportedly sighted by some members of the public.The APC led administration has been high up on politics while lying prostrate on governance with absolutely no results to show in over a year in office. If a journey of 4 years has not seen a foot in advancement, nothing may be seen in two years of this administration.The biases of the masses of tribe and religion are being feasted upon by paid propagandists of the government of the day. One wrote to Ndigbos who have never rested from verbal attack since the very first day of this administration up till now, creating the impression that Nigeria shouldn’t be their concern, really?The gang up of the elites class against the rest of us is read everywhere, from the political quarters came words of Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Presidential Candidate of ANPP in the last election; “It is sad to note that the attitude of our leaders to poor governance plunged the citizens, especially youth, into anger, hunger, insecurity, hopelessness and about giving up on the country. Interferences by the Federal Government into the affairs of the chieftaincy matters in Kano State, impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, political crises in Rivers State, sabotage to Aliko Dangote refinery, controversies surrounding SAMOA agreement, the conflict between Sen. Ali Ndume and the APC Leadership, widespread insecurity and other criminal acts are a few examples of avoidable and unnecessary crises. We appeal to the leadership of the country at all levels to take necessary steps to addressing the pyramid of challenges facing the country”.From the religious came the public communication, signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), dated,_July 25, 2024_Titled; Planned Protests: CAN Stands in Solidarity with Nigerians”. Highlighting many points, the communication further read:”1. The national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) stands in solidarity with the citizens of our great nation during these challenging times of economic hardship and pervasive hunger. We recognize and deeply empathize with the pain, anger, and frustration that many of our fellow Nigerians are experiencing. The cries of the people underscore the severe difficulties faced daily as families struggle to afford basic necessities and sustain their livelihoods.2. As we navigate this period of crisis, it is imperative to uphold the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to peacefully protest and express their grievances. The right to assemble and voice discontent is a cornerstone of our democracy and must be protected and respected by all. Peaceful protests are a powerful tool for civic engagement, allowing the populace to communicate their concerns and hold leaders accountable. However, the anxiety related to the impending protests is heightening, especially given the volatile experiences in countries like Kenya and Pakistan.3. We must also draw from our recent history. The #ENDSARS and #RevolutionNow protests, though rooted in genuine grievances, were marred by tragic incidents where miscreants hijacked the process. This led to widespread looting, destruction of properties, and unfortunate loss of lives. These experiences have shown us that mass demonstrations can quickly degenerate into chaos if not properly managed and coordinated”.I would have loved to read from CAN an open communication before now, cautioning the leadership of the country away from the path that the leadership of Kenya and Pakistan took.The timidity of our United Elites for the backed Elements who hijacked the #EndSARS protest is understandable. But they have remained among us since 2020 till date. I would have expected that the CAN President would have particularly called on the Governor of Lagos to do the needful by getting them arrested before the first day of August 2024.From the palaces of our Royal Elites came the same manner of communication perfectly in tandem with the political and the religious Elites as if they are all copying from the same master’s script.From the Palace of the Oba of Benin came the public announcement; “Arising from the emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), held in Abuja on Monday, 22nd July 2024, the Omo N’Oba wishes to appeal to the general public to give the Federal Government enough time to implement it’s economic policy that will alleviate the present hardship being experienced by Nigerians”.On the heads of the Sultan of Sokoto rests two crowns, one of traditions limiting him to Sokoto, the other of Nigeria extending is authority to space within the border of Nigeria over all Muslims.The question is how come the government has made effort to speak to everyone except the organisers of the protest whom they are claiming are faceless. Faceless group who communicated with the Honourable Minister of the FCT for the use of the Eagle Square and got replied? It is mild to put the action of this government as being mischievous!Let’s be clear, nobody in the elites class wants this protest to happen, because they have an alternative to Nigeria. It is common public knowledge that our International Airports have been very busy of late processing fleeing elites class and members of their families.Those who have no alternative are giving their patriotism to the country in the form of a protest to see it work. It seems their only hope of redeeming Nigeria! Let me appeal to those who through iconic labour for a better and greater Nigeria has become living legends of the Nigerian nation who for their inability to identify the organisers of the protest have declined their participation, worthy of note is Barrister Femi Falana, SAN. We urge them to step out and lead from the front like they always do.This is not the time to leave our children who turned the gun at them in 2022 to do the same again!

Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi is an Apostle and Nation Builder. He’s also President Voice of His Word Ministries and Convener Apostolic Round Table. BoT Chairman, Project Victory Call Initiative, AKA PVC Naija and the Convener, Leaders After God’s Own Spirit Initiating A New State, LAGOSIANS.

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