Southern monarchs counsel against October 1 planned protest

The Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council has advised groups allegedly planning another protest on October 1, to shelve the idea and embrace dialogue.

The council, in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary and Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom in Abia State, Dr Eberechukwu Oji, said another round of protests would put further strain on the economy and Nigerians.

The warning is coming against the backdrop of the August 1-10 nationwide #EndBadGovernance or #Hunger protest, which turned violent, particularly in the North, leading to loss of lives, destruction of public property and large-scale looting.

The Southern Nigeria monarchs said they were not oblivious of the current harsh economy in the country and would continue to engage the constituted authorities to make life easy for all Nigerians, but stressed the need for peace and unity to forge ahead and overcome the trying times in the country.

They said, “Most especially, the Nigerian Labour Congress and other groups allegedly planning another protest on October 1, 2024, are advised to shelf the idea and embrace dialogue to avoid putting further strain on our economy and the citizens.

“Nigeria needs peace and all hands must be on deck to make the country work.”

The council condemned the recent murder of the Emir of Gobir in Gwata town of Sokoto State, Alhaji Mohammed Bawa, by some kidnappers.

It also decried the spate of killings, kidnappings and banditry going on across the country in recent times and described the violent incidents as a source of concern which demanded urgent attention from the government and security agencies.

While expressing their sadness over the matter, the southern monarchs commiserated with the government of Sokoto State, the Sultan of Sokoto, and the family of the deceased emir over the painful loss.

“The evil killers do not understand that traditional rulers are the custodians of our culture and heritage, the link to our past, ancestors and nation’s history which should not be desecrated

“Even more, the royal fathers do not hold any key to the national purse or receive direct government allocations that should make them the target of kidnappers,” it said.

The council called for an immediate end to the ugly trend of kidnapping and killing of traditional rulers and other Nigerians across the country.