By Emeka Nwokocha
As tension continues hovering across Delta State and other states of Nigeria, following the proposed protest against rising cost of living and worsening insecurity ravaging the country, Citizens Rights Concern Enhancement Initiative also known as Human Rights Protection Congress, has called on its members in Delta State and across Nigeria not to embark on the protest, stating that peaceful negotiation with the government is most ideal course of action currently.
The organisation made this known today, Thursday 22 February, 2024, through a statement issued to the press and signed by Amb. Edewor Egedegbe, BOT Chairman, Dcn Monday Enudi, National coordinator, and Activist kelvin Ejumudo, National secrectary of the Organisation.
Continuing, the organisation noted with concern the numerous challenges besetting the country currently, stating that whilst it’s the constitutional right of citizens to embark on peaceful protest against poor governance, there are better options to engage the government of the day, considering the volatile situation of the country. It further expressed concern about the possibility of hoodlums hijacking the protest and causing mayhem in the polity, even as it recalled the ugly scenario that played out in the purported endsars peaceful protest of 2020 which was hijacked by hoodlums, resulting in the loss of lives, destruction of private and public properties, razing of police stations and other atrocities.
It however, called on the Federal, State and Local governments executives to triple their efforts and urgently intervene to rescue the citizens from avoidable hardship occasioned by poor policies and programmes of the governments .
The statement reads:”
“Citizens Rights Concern Enhancement Initiative also known as Human Rights Protection Congress, distances herself from the proposed Delta state protest against the prevailing hardship and food scarcity in the country.
“The Human Rights Protection Congress like other well meaning citizens across board, acknowledges the numerous challenges our country is faced with currently.
“Therefore, it’s our position that despite being the constitutional right of citizens to embark on peaceful protest and picket government for poor governance, we believe there are better options that can be used to engage the government of the day other than protest, considering the timing and the ugly incident that played out during the endsars peaceful protest of 2020, that was later hijacked by hoodlums.
“That unfortunate event led to loss of lives, destruction of private and public properties, razing of police stations, while some dubious persons, for selfish reasons, catched in on the protest and deceitfully got pecuniary benefits and other items from the state government and betrayed the struggle.”
The statement reiterated:
“It should be on record that the distinguished Board, Executive and members of Human Rights Protection Congress are not part of any planned protest in Effurun-Warri, Delta State in the guise of the ongoing hardship.
“We are using this medium to call on the Federal, State and Local government executives to triple their efforts and urgently intervene to rescue citizens from this avoidable hardship occasioned by poor policies, programmes and uncoordinated implementation of policies and programmes to cushion the hardship.
“Government should do the needful to diffuse the plans of faceless individuals proposing protest that could be hijacked by hoodlums.
“Finally, the government at all levels should reach out to critical stakeholders in dealing with the current challenges confronting the country.
“Nigeria shall be great again.”
Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Long live Delta State!
Long Live Human Rights Protection Congress!
