With less than four days remaining until the planned nationwide protest, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has urged organizers to channel their energy toward voting out bad governance rather than protesting. In a statement he signed, Kwankwaso sent a strong message to the protest organizers, advising them to reconsider their actions.
The NNPP National Leader acknowledged that Nigeria’s collective frustration with poor governance has reached a boiling point, driving the desire for change and a better nation. However, he cautioned that protests often have unforeseen and severe consequences. He traced the avoidable hardship facing the country back to 2007 when its leaders made critical missteps.
Kwankwaso stated, “It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I share my thoughts on the current situation in Nigeria. We found ourselves in avoidable hardship because our leaders missed some steps since 2007. However, there is always room for correction and setting the country on the right track for economic development, prosperity, and better welfare of citizens. This can be achieved through ensuring good governance, respect for the rule of law, transparency, and accountability.”
He lamented that the attitude of leaders towards poor governance has driven citizens, especially youth, into anger, hunger, insecurity, and hopelessness. He highlighted various crises, such as the Federal Government’s interference in Kano State chieftaincy matters, the impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, political issues in Rivers State, sabotage of Aliko Dangote’s refinery, controversies surrounding the SAMOA agreement, conflicts between Sen. Ali Ndume and the APC Leadership, and widespread insecurity.
Kwankwaso appealed to the country’s leadership at all levels to address the myriad challenges facing Nigeria. “Today, I speak to you not just as an elder and a concerned citizen but as someone who deeply believes in the power and potential of our great nation. The recent calls for protests against bad governance resonate with me, as they reflect our collective frustration and yearning for a better Nigeria,” he said.
However, he urged Nigerians to prioritize the country by being patient with the government and offering it the necessary support to succeed. He emphasized that if any government fails to provide the needed leadership for a better Nigeria, citizens will have the opportunity to elect new leaders through their votes.
“In these trying times, our nation stands at a crossroads. Our collective frustration with bad governance has reached a boiling point, and the urge to protest is strong. As an elder and patriotic Nigerian, I share your concerns and your desire for change. However, I urge you to consider the consequences of national protests and to channel your energy into a more effective and peaceful means of transformation—through the power of your ballot,” Kwankwaso added.
He noted that while protests are a fundamental democratic right, they often come with dire and unforeseen consequences. Past events have shown that protests can escalate into violence, leading to the loss of lives, destruction of property, and widespread chaos. Such actions leave lasting scars on communities and deepen divisions.
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