From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Association of Nigerian University Lecturers in Diaspora UK & Campaign for Democracy (CD) UK has condemned in its entirety the recent trends and dimensions the current hunger protest in Nigeria is taking.
They said the whole scenario had snowballed into stealing, killing, maiming violence, and burning of private and government property
and investments in various states like Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, and other states of the federation.
President of the Association, Abdullahi Akeem Ahmed in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna stated that the actions of the lrotesters were callous, irresponsible, and lacking in civic education by the protesters.
The statement added that the government property and infrastructure destroyed are built with taxpayers’ money for the benefit of all citizens.
The statement further stated that the private businesses destroyed are put together with owners hard earned money and in some cases got Bank loans, this madness, and senseless destruction must be stopped immediately by the government security agencies
Abdullahi Akeem Ahmed noted that the freedom guaranteed by democracy is not to cause arson, mayhem, violence, and destruction of properties but to put people at liberty to contribute to the development of the country.
“We therefore call on the federal government to take urgent necessary steps and action to safeguard the lives and properties of innocent Nigerians from the hands of these protesters monsters and their hidden agendas. May Allah save Nigeria. ”
Similarly, the National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA) Hon. Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje has also slammed the violence and looting by hoodlums in Kano Kaduna and other states, as protesters took to the streets against hardship and bad governance in the country.
He further stressed in an interview that “the protesters have the right to protest. But, they should not allow handlooms and criminals to hijack protest and start looting”.
“I condemn the looting in Kano. And the security should live up to expectations by ensuring law and order
“It is the constitutional right of citizens to express displeasure over government policies but advised the protesters to be peaceful.
“Nigerians have the right to conduct protests, but they should be peaceful. The situation in the country is what prompted the protest” he said.
While reacting to the looting an activist Yusful Ishyaku Goje expressed dismay that Seeing protesting citizens who accused the current leaders of looting their commonwealth and mismanaging the economy, looting from innocent business owners got him thinking
According to him, “that you are angry with the government is understandable, but breaking into businesses and infringing on the rights of others makes you no better than the leaders you accuse of inflicting suffering on you. I tell you the tyranny of the masses can equally be as dangerous as the tyranny of the elites.
“I always say even if we clear out all the current leaders and replace them with new ones, and we don’t change our values, it will just be a case of the aspiration of the oppressed is to be like their oppressors.
“I am tempted to conclude that our leaders are just a reflection of the followers. If only what many of us do in our homes, schools, worship centers, businesses, associations, etc can be in the open.
“How many of us have burnt down our family houses just because we were angry with our fathers for not providing? So why burn down public property that does not belong to the current leaders but all of us in the name of protest?
“We must all say no to unprovoked violent protest, while we encourage peaceful and constructive protests. If we destroy this country na still we go suffer am, the leaders will just pack their families and change their base.” He said
