A Former Spokesperson of the dissolved Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council, Kassim Afegbua Speaking on the planned Nationwide protest has earned of the potential consequences if protest escalate into mob actions. He reflected on the impacts of the last End SARS protest in Lagos.
He argued that the destruction and chaos that ensued in the End SARS protest underscores the risks associated with another Nationwide protest. Although he acknowledged the legitimate role of protests in a democracy as a means to challenge the government. However, he underscored that the current administration is attentive and responsive to public concerns. He pointed out that the government continuously provides explanations for the adverse conditions affecting the populace.
He said in an interview with Channels TV from 34:12, ”We say we are in a season of lack and you go to a nearby party and you will see people throwing food all over the place. Everywhere is littered with food and all of that. It doesn’t correspond with the idea that the country is in a state of lack. So I think it’s about reordering our priorities. And in reordering our priorities, we need ideas from different people to be canvassed on the order of governance.
The National orientation Agency is trying to come up with kind of value addition that will help people to reorientate their minds to expectations from the government. If they carry on with the protest and mobs takes over, what will happen at the end of the day? I don’t think we have gotten over the End SARS protest in Lagos and the destruction that followed that particular End SARS protest. You can say protest in a democracy is part of agitation to take on the government. But this government is a listening one and is hearing the cries of the people. And each time they come up with explanation on why things are downside.”….Seë_Morë