We’re not against protest, but negative impacts – Otu

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has explained that his Administration is not against the proposed peaceful protest, but is afraid of the negative impacts that may come with the protest.

He said that the Government was afraid of mercenaries who might storm the State and its capital, Calabar through the creeks to destroy key infrastructural facilities just like they did during the 2020 #EndSARS where property worth millions of naira was looted and vandalized.

Governor Otu made the remarks during an interactive session with Entertainment Stakeholders which took place Monday in Calabar, saying that as a Nigerian, he is afraid of what is likely to befall the State as he is aware of plans by strangers and unscrupulous elements who had hatched plans to unleash terror on the State.

Market leaders warn traders in Nasarawa to Shun protest

The governor, who was represented by Ekpenyong Akiba, Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, appealed to Stakeholders in the industry not to join the protesters as the Government was doing everything humanly possible to respond to their problems.

Traders and marketers in Nasarawa State have been urged to refrain from participating in the planned August 1st protest against bad governance in Nigeria.

They were rather advised to guard against activities of unscrupulous elements whose stock in trade is to take advantage of the protest to break into shops and warehouses to loot goods, as well as cause unrest in the state.

Turaki Gamji, Chairman, of Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association, gave this advice during an expanded market stakeholders meeting held on Monday in Lafia.

NSCDC warns against criminal acts in Kwara

Gamji warned members of the Association not to take part in the August 1st planned protest as their warehouses and shops might certainly be target places for the protesters.

The Kwara State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has warned those who may seek to exploit the August 1st protest for criminal activities and cause unrest in the State To steer clear.

Read also: Nigerian economy to lose N400bn daily to protest – CPPE

Umar Mohammed, Commandant of the Corps, gave the warning in a statement issued by Ayoola Micheal Shola, PRO of the Command, saying, “the command is on red alert, with robust measures in place to ensure law and order are upheld before, during, and after the protest.”

He further stated that the Command would not fold its hands and watch hoodlums wreak havoc and vandalize critical national assets and infrastructure.

The Coalition of Youth Leaders of Plateau Communities has distanced itself from the proposed nationwide protest, citing unclear circumstances and suspicious motives.

Pololis Gyang, the spokesperson of the Youth leaders and Youth leader of Rock Heaven, at a press conference held on Monday in Jos, expressed commitment to the welfare and well-being of their people but rejected the protest due to its ambiguous nature.

The leaders acknowledged the economic hardship and suffering of their people but emphasised the need for constructive ways to address these issues.

They questioned the hidden sponsors and motives behind the protest, expressing concerns about the recruitment of touts and cultists to participate.

Plateau, Ondo activists say planned protest politically-motivated

The youth leaders recalled the devastating effects of previous protests in the state and urged their people to protect their communities from elements seeking to cause chaos.

The Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Conference of Nigeria Civil Rights Activists (CNCRA) in Ondo State dissociated themselves from participating in the August 1st nationwide planned protest, saying there was every possibility that the protest would be hijacked by hoodlums and miscreants to breach the peace of the Country.

Nesta Taiwo and Raphael Dada, the chairmen, of CD and CNCRA, while addressing journalists in Akure, however, called on the protesters to sheath their swords and give peace a chance.