A prominent traditional ruler in the Niger Delta and Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom in Delta State, His Majesty, King Monday Obukohwo Whiskey Ph.D., Udurhie 1, has appealed to Nigerian youths to suspend the August 1 planned nationwide protest.
The Idjerhe monarch, who agreed with aggrieved Nigerian youths over the affairs of the Nation, noted that Nigeria is too fragile for such protest considering the precarious security situation in the country.
The revered royal father made the appeal on Sunday in a letter addressed to Nigerian youths titled “Nationwide Hunger Protest: My Appeal To Nigerian Youths” and made available to NIGER DELTA TODAY Online.
Udurhie 1 observed that, while it is the right of Nigerian youths to a peaceful protest as enshrined in the nation’s constitution, he expressed fears that such good intention could be hijacked by bad elements to cause unrest across the country.
He, however, called on President Bola Tinubu and 36 state governors to expedite actions towards addressing the concerns of youths and all Nigerians who are currently faced with harsh economic crisis.
The outspoken journalist-turned monarch urged the youths and the organisers of the protest to explore dialogue with the federal government to reach a common ground on how to urgently solve the myriad of problem facing the country.
“I am deeply worried that a mass protest at this critical time will not do our dear nation any good. Rather, it can lead to further national disorder.
“The hunger in the land and growing insecurity across regions should bother us all, and constructively looking inward will be a better option than resorting to wild protests.
“As a revered traditional ruler in this country, I know it is a constitutional right of every Nigerian, as enshrined in our constitution, to protest. I also know there is hunger, insecurity, and unemployment. But as a veteran journalist and media manager with over three decades of experience, the signals out there clearly indicate that another nationwide protest will plunge this nation into more economic mess and insecurity.
“As your father, I earnestly appeal to you all to shelve the planned protest in the interest of our nation.
“I call on our President, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the concerns raised by our youths. I plead with Mr. President and Nigerians to address the core issues of hunger and the deep disconnect that exists between ordinary Nigerians and the ruling class.
“We cannot afford another #ENDSARS unrest now, considering the current state of our nation. Our collective decision to work for sustainable peace by addressing growing insecurities should be our top national discourse.
“Anything that will further divide the country should be discouraged by the government, which should work out modalities to address the critical hunger in our land. Mass protests cannot and should not be provoked as an option to address the needs of the masses.
“Peace and dialogue remain the win-win choice over mass protests that can easily be hijacked by the depraved. Let peace and unity reign supreme in our dear land.
“As a royal father who has been at the forefront of advocating for the creation of jobs, the establishment of companies, revamping the agricultural sector, and the building of a prosperous nation, amongst others, for our Nigerian youths, I know your demands are germane and are a true reflection of the current economic reality in the country.
“Therefore, I wish to appeal to all Nigerian youths, particularly Niger Delta youths, to dialogue with the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu on the basis of national interest”, Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom said in the letter.
