Engineer Muftau Open Salawu, Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Project Monitoring and Chairman of the Oyo State Project Performance Monitoring Agency, has expressed concern that recent protests in Nigeria have been hijacked by individuals with ulterior motives.
He made this known in a statement personally signed by him on Sunday and made available to newsmen, in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
“I am concerned that recent protests have been infiltrated by individuals with ulterior motives, deviating from the original intentions.
“This puts innocent citizens, particularly the poor and traders, at risk of harm and financial loss due to looting and vandalism.” Salawu said.
According to Open Salawu, President Tinubu, who was once a serial protester, now understands the complexities of the issues and has made collective economic decisions, including the removal of fuel subsidies, which was initially protested against during President Jonathan’s tenure.
“The removal of fuel subsidies, for instance, was initially protested against during President Jonathan’s tenure, only for the opposition to later agree to it,” Salawu noted. “In fact, all three major presidential candidates supported subsidy removal, making it a collective economic decision rather than a solo choice by Tinubu.”
The Babalaje of Ogbomoso also highlighted Nigeria’s tendency to hastily adopt foreign economic models without considering local implications, leading to inadequate basic amenities and a lack of standardized systems.
“Nigeria often hastily adopts foreign models without considering local implications.
“We lack standardized systems, and basic amenities like power, water, transportation, healthcare, and shelter are inadequate.” he said.
The Waziri Jari of Nupe kingdom urged those planning protests to remember that Nigeria’s economy relies heavily on daily earnings and many citizens live hand-to-mouth, warning that prolonged protests can have devastating effects, as seen during the End SARS protest in Lagos State.
His words: “I urge those planning protests to remember that Nigeria’s economy relies heavily on daily earnings, and many citizens live hand-to-mouth. Prolonged protests can have devastating effects, as seen during the End SARS protest in Lagos State.”
The Giwa Adini of Oyo state implored Nigerians to think creatively, seek fresh ideas, and engage constructively in the democratic process.
“I implore Nigerians to think creatively, seek fresh ideas, and engage constructively in the democratic process,” Open Salawu said.
