A human rights lawyer Femi Falana has cautioned the Federal Government against threatening the organisers of a planned nationwide protest over the harsh economic climate in the country.
Social media has been rife with hashtags about the protest which is billed to happen next month. While the Federal Government and security agencies have cautioned against the demonstrations, Falana says threats won’t aid the shelving of the protest.
“How do you identify those who are issuing statements; those who are planning the protest, and then engage with them productively?” Falana asked on Tuesday.
“But threats do not work. In fact, on some occasions, the desperation of the government also has a way of popularizing such protests.”
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday asked the organisers to shelve the planned protest.
“The issue of the planned protest, Mr President does not see any need for that. He’s asked them to shelve that plan. He’s asked them to await the government’s response to all their pleas,” the Minister of Information Mohammed Idris said at the State House in Abuja.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun also sent out a note of warning over the protest, claiming it may turn violent.
But Falana is asking the Federal Government to identify the leaders of the planned protest and dialogue with them instead of threats.
“So, this time around the government should try to identify the leaders of the movement and then engage them, and then the questions be raised. There are demands that are being made, and the government should address these demands,” the revered legal practitioner said.
“Between now and the first of August is still a long way and I understand the government is going to address the nation. It is also important for governors to really come out and let the people know what they are doing to address hardship in the country which nobody is denying.”
