Urges Nigerians Not to Participate in the Protest
Accuses Organisers for Non-Disclosure of Financial Inducement by Divisive Politician.
The Amalgamated Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria (ACN) has strongly condemned the planned October 1st protest, accusing its organizers of receiving funding from a notorious former North West Governor to destabilize the country.
Comrade Gbenga Ashiru Abiodun, National President of ACN, in a press statement issued to newsmen on Monday, said, “We urge Nigerians not to participate in this protest, as it is driven by a hidden agenda to undermine the government. The organizers have collected huge sums of money from a divisive North West Governor for the purpose of purveying their hidden agenda to unsuspecting Nigerian citizens.”
Abiodun emphasized that the protest’s primary aim is to cause chaos and anarchy, taking advantage of the country’s current economic challenges. “This protest is not about addressing the country’s problems but about advancing the interests of desperate politicians,” he added.
The ACN criticized the organizers for failing to disclose their financial backing, alleging that they have received foreign funding under the guise of protecting democracy and free speech. “We have received critical actionable intelligence on the foreign funding given to some select NGOs,” Abiodun revealed.
Abiodun expressed concern that the protest would only worsen the country’s economic situation and cause unnecessary harm to citizens. “Nigerians are going through a lot of hardship due to hunger and unusual hyper-inflation, but participating in a protest funded by a divisive politician is not the solution,” he said.
Instead, Abiodun advocated for constructive dialogue with the government to address economic challenges. “We must learn from past experiences and avoid actions that undermine our democracy,” he emphasized.
The ACN also criticized local rice producers and essential commodity traders for arbitrarily increasing prices of goods and services, exacerbating the country’s economic woes. “They are solely responsible for the hardship, hunger, and hoarding of foodstuff in our country,” Abiodun stated.
Abiodun praised political leaders who have patiently reclaimed their respective states through democratic principles, citing Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Governor Isa Yuguda, Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, Governor Dauda Lawal, Governor Seyi Makinde, and Dr. Alex Otti as examples.
The ACN warned that relevant security agencies must deal with the shadowy characters involved in the protest, including those hiding under the guise of mediators, lawyers, and interlopers. “Anyone hiding behind transactional protest to cause breakdown of law and order is a security risk,” Abiodun said.
Abiodun declared that the ACN will not be a party to the subterranean plot by politicians masquerading as champions of democratic ethos. “We have resolved to declare organizers of the planned protest persona non grata for collecting money from politicians without disclosing such transactions to other stakeholders,” he announced.
The ACN urged Nigerians to resist the protest and instead advocate for peaceful and democratic means of addressing grievances. “Let us call a spade a spade for once. The sponsors of the protest should blame themselves for the backlash and whatever ugly outcome that may likely transpire during their protest,” Abiodun concluded.
Comrade Yakubu Abdullahi, General Secretary of ACN, echoed Abiodun’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for Nigerians to unite against divisive forces. “We must reject this protest and work towards a united and prosperous Nigeria,” Abdullahi said.
Furthermore, the ACN emphasized that the planned protest is a deliberate attempt to destabilize the country, and Nigerians must be vigilant. “We will not allow desperate politicians to hijack our democracy,” Abiodun warned.
The ACN called on all patriotic Nigerians to join forces in rejecting the protest and promoting peace and stability. “We must prioritize the interest of our country over personal interests,” Abiodun urged.
In conclusion, the ACN reaffirmed its commitment to promoting democratic values and rejecting any attempt to undermine the country’s stability.
