By Adeyinka Adeniran
As momentum gathers for the commencement of the protests against economic hardship in the country, Abubakar Bukola Saraki National Solidarity Group of Nigeria, Southwest zone, on Thursday said it has backed out of the planned demonstration.
The group said the need to protect the prevailing peace and tranquility informed its resolve to pull out of the protest, considering the overall interest of the nation.
The group spoke in a statement jointly signed by the Zonal Coordinator, Bashorun Akinola Rahman; General Secretary, Mrs Bola Afolabi; Public Relations Officer (PRO), Comrade Dasola Lawal and the women leader, Mrs Mojisola Ajibade after the conclusion of its zonal meeting which held in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The group expressed fear that hoodlums and criminal elements might hijack the planned protest, thus creating opportunity to cause chaos and violence, capable of disrupting socioeconomic activities across the country.
The statement reads in part: “We want to notify the public that Abubakar Bukola Saraki National Solidarity Group of Nigeria, Southwest zone has backed out of the proposed nationwide protest slated for August 1 to 10 due to some cogent reasons.
“Having envisaged the possible negative consequences of the protest which can precipitate chaos and anarchy, it is incumbent on our part to pull out in the interest of peace and development of Nigeria.
“We cannot be party to any activity that will jeopardize or threaten the sovereignty of the country.
“The protest may further aggravate the hardship being faced by the citizenry as hoodlums and criminal elements in the society may take advantage of the chaotic situation to loot properties and destroy public infrastructures built by the government through the taxpayers’ money.”
