The Cross River State government has cautioned against joining others in the planned public protest all over the country on August 1, 2024.
The government called on the public to boycott the protest after expressing regret over the difficult economic times they were going through.
Erasmus Ekpang, the state commissioner for information, said in a statement that public protest has never been the best way to resolve any issues, including the current hardship in the country.
The government, recalling the wanton destructions witnessed during the 2020 endSARS protest, warned that it “will not fold our arms and allow any misguided group or individuals to destroy the state now undergoing reshaping by Governor Bassey Edet Otu.”
Cautioning that law-abiding citizens should go about their lawful duties, he lamented that the state was yet to fully recover from the aftermaths of the endSARS destructions.
Ekpang called on all security agencies “to be on red alert to checkmate any untoward behavior from any sections of the state.”
Despite this warning, Mr. Agba Jalingo, a well-known civil activist and journalist from the state, recalled the recent public protest in Kenya that the youths led and how successful but deadly it was, maintaining that everyone was in the same position and should not stand aloof.
In his public statement, he said, “We are all in this together, knowing nothing will change if we do not do something different. If our protests will ever bring us expected changes, then we all have to think of getting involved, for the love of our country.
“Protests in Nigeria have never been palatable. I have been on the streets protesting against injustice for most of my life. I am speaking from experience.
Will the public participate in our protest, or will they remain at home, merely observing us on TV as we endure beatings, tear gas attacks, and drags into the waiting Black Marias? In Nigeria, some individuals perceive themselves as too large or overly occupied to participate in protests, yet they frequently voice their grievances about the nation. These individuals hold the belief that it is the responsibility of others to consistently protest against injustice, while their own role is to merely observe the protesters on television. They stand aloof when things go wrong, expecting others to make events right while they watch from their window pews.
“There are others who have cheekily asked what protests can achieve. And there are those who claim they are kingdom children, and even if a litre of petrol sells for one million Naira, their God will provide, so people should remain docile.”
Justifying his call for public protest, Jalingo quoted 1 Kings 12 of the Christian Holy Bible, saying the eleven tribes of Israel did protest against high taxes imposed on them by King Rehoboam.
“They gathered in numbers to protest to the King and call for tax cuts, but when their King gave them deaf ears, the eleven tribes seceded from Judah.
“The people of Kenya said “no” to their government proposal and took to the streets. They marched to their Senate, and the lawmakers who were preparing to pass the bill into law escaped through a tunnel.
The young people of Kenya won. Rogue security agents cut short 35 lives, making their victory extremely costly.
