A coalition of civil society organisations led by Rising Up for a United Nigeria (RUN) and Coalition of Civil Society Groups for National Stability and Cohesion, have urged Nigerians to distance themselves from the planned August 1st nationwide protest against the Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Addressing newsmen on Monday in Abuja, leaders of the group, convener of RUN Solomon Adodo, convener of Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative, Danesi Momoh and Convener Guardians of Democracy and Development, Igwe Ude-umanta, advised Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used as tools by “unpatriotic” persons to destabilise the country in the name of national protests or strikes.

They alleged that the planned protest was being driven by “certain people with ulterior interests, driven by bitterness and personal agendas, are attempting to exploit our nation’s challenges to incite unrest through protests and strikes.

“While we respect the fact that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental aspect of our democracy, it is crucial to remain vigilant and not be swayed by those who seek to destabilize our beloved country for their own gain.

“These voices of opposition, bitter and disgruntled politicians and other unpatriotic interest have been on the campaign of employing sensationalism and exploiting the outcomes of the initial challenges of the visionary and bold reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to instigate Nigerians, particularly the young and middle-aged citizens to go on protests against the temporary challenges in the country.

“They intend to instigate the young people using the incidents of protests and riots in Kenya, which has its own peculiarity and influences.

“We reiterate that the proposed nationwide protests slated to begin on August 1st, 2024 is largely being sponsored by persons who are completely faceless, whose motives are nebulous and are therefore operating nocturnally and clandestinely to undermine national unity. They are only trying to exploit genuine national misgivings about the temporary implications of the reforms of Mr. President to execute their acts of treason and ultimately push for a regime change.

“The sheer theme of the protest to wit-“End Bad Government”, is an invitation to anarchy, disorder and mayhem. These faceless gangsters certainly do not have an answer to what structure takes over when a democratically elected government is ousted through brigandage. In any case, all through history, when patriotic and well-meaning citizens abdicate their responsibilities and allow unpatriotic elements to hold sway, the repercussion becomes grave.

“Indeed, the agenda of these enemies of the country is very sinister and the intention is indeed destructive. We wish to call on our compatriots, the youth and middle-aged citizens and all Nigerians to discountenance the protest and avoid participating in such unpatriotic protests. We appeal to well meaning Nigerians to rally support for national stability and cohesion. We must resist any attempt at throwing our country into turbulence or chaos. It will all look very idealistic and colourful on the surface, but the outcome is always dire, unsavoury and highly regrettable.”

While warning that the planned protest could be hijacked as witnessed in the EndSARSass protest which resulted in the loss of lives and properties, they noted that despite the current hardship occasioned by the ill-timed removal of fuel subsidy, President Tinubu was already rolling out initiatives to address the adverse situation.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved centres for the conversion of petrol and diesel-powered vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) at no cost to the vehicle owners under the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGi). The NNPC has assured that the refineries will soon commence optimal performance.

“Further more, Mr president has established the ministry of livestock to tackle the perennial farmers and herders clashes which has hindered massive food production and animal husbandry.

“The government of Tinubu has just approved a minimum wage for workers in view of the realities of the times with a promise to review after three years. The wage award is being paid to cushion the effect of the hardship. Fertilizer and other farm inputs are deliberately being distributed by government to encourage farming.

“This is in addition to the massive distribution of grains across the country. Security agencies are aggressively clamping down on the bandits that terrorized communities and prevented farming activities. The student loan scheme is an initiative to help students pay their tuition without challenge. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a listening leader.

“The President has been proactive and significantly started addressing the base foundation of these glaring challenges.

He has taken the bull by the horn to make difficult decisions which the consequences are before us. Mr president deserves our support at this critical time. We must stand by him while offering fair and constructive criticisms where necessary.”