The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has appealed to the government, organizers, and supporters of the planned protest against hardship to call off the demonstration and pursue dialogue to improve the plight of the Nigerian people.
In a letter dated July 29th, NBA President Yakubu Maikyau urged members of the National and State Houses of Assembly to engage with their constituents on governmental plans to address the public’s demands. Maikyau emphasized the need for a National Security Summit involving military, police, intelligence, and law enforcement to reassess security and propose actionable solutions.
“Traditional institutions and religious leaders should be involved and assigned specific roles,” Maikyau stated. “Civil society organizations should be engaged in all levels of dialogue and in monitoring the implementation of agreed decisions.”
The NBA has consistently highlighted the suffering of Nigerians and urged the government to take decisive steps to revamp the economy and alleviate hunger and poverty exacerbated by insecurity and corruption.
Acknowledging widespread hunger, the NBA appealed to Nigerians to prioritize national interest and avoid actions that could destabilize the country. Referencing the adverse effects of the #EndSARS protests, Maikyau cautioned against mass protests, noting the potential for hijacking by unscrupulous elements leading to riots and further economic disruption.
“While recognizing the right to express dissatisfaction, it is crucial to consider the possible consequences of mass protests on our security, economy, and national unity,” Maikyau wrote. “Our past experiences with mass protests often result in chaos. We must avoid the devastation seen in countries experiencing civil unrest and wars.”
The NBA president called for the planned protest to be replaced with sincere discussions on immediate actions to improve the people’s situation.
He also recommended establishing regular government-public engagement mechanisms and setting timelines for specific actions.
“We urge members of the National and State Houses of Assembly to engage with their constituents and address their demands,” Maikyau concluded. “A National Security Summit should be convened to reassess our security, involving traditional institutions, religious leaders, and civil society organizations to ensure comprehensive dialogue and implementation of solutions.”
