A former Minister of Defence, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has cautioned Nigerians against embarking on protests, stating that such actions often come with dire and unforeseen consequences.
Kwankwaso made this warning on Saturday in a statement addressed to Nigerians ahead of the planned nationwide protest, labelled #EndBadGovernance, which is expected to take place across Nigeria to address economic hardship.
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The upcoming protest has gained a lot of both negative and positive traction on social media, with both supporters and critics weighing in. Even President Bola Tinubu has appealed to the protesters to shelve their plans, promising to address their grievances.
Kwankwaso said that protests, while a fundamental democratic right, can escalate into violence, leading to the loss of lives, the destruction of property, and widespread chaos.
He added that the repercussions of such actions extend far beyond the immediate moment, leaving scars in communities and deepening divisions among Nigerians.
“Protests, while a fundamental democratic right, often come with unforeseen and dire consequences,” Kwankwaso stated.
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“The tragic events of the past have shown us that protests can escalate into violence, leading to loss of lives, destruction of property, and widespread chaos. The repercussions of such actions extend far beyond the immediate moment, leaving scars on our communities and deepening divisions among us.”
Kwankwaso, who was also contested in the 2023 presidential election as the candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), acknowledged the nation’s collective frustration with bad governance, saying that Nigeria stands at a crossroads
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The former governor of Kano State, however, urged Nigerians to consider alternative and peaceful means of achieving transformation, such as through the power of their ballots.
“If any government fails to provide the necessary leadership for better Nigeria, we will have opportunity as citizens to elect the people who can bring the required change using our votes,” he said.
“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.”