THE 5TH FEBRUARY 2017 PLANNED PROTEST MARCH BY TUFACE- MY CANDID OPINION

[BEN USANG]

 

CANDID OPINIONS - 29^TH JANUARY, 2017

THE 5^TH FEBRUARY, 2017 GOVERNANCE PROTEST MARCH BY INNOCENT (TUFACE) IDIBIA AND OTHER CELEBRITIES

The Nigerian Musical Star Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tuface alongside some Nigerian Celebrities have confirmed that they will be organizing or taking part in a protest March on Sunday the 5^th of February,2017. Having read on the media the purpose of their planned March which is targeted at the three arms of the Federal Government( Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary), I will like to state that while I do not agree with some of issues they are putting forward, as I deem that it just the result of their not having sufficient information on those issues, It is however my CANDID OPINION that the travails in the country, on multiple fronts, requires that Citizens must come together to use all available Peaceful measures allowed in a democracy to pressure their government to take practical actions to address the suffering of citizens, especially the poor, or where they government are on course in addressing those concerns, they should not be weary in using every opportunity such as the march to explain to the marchers their effort. Let me state that it is the responsibility of Government to listen to Citizens Views on what could be an alternative approach or strategies to the implementation of their programs. I also urge the marchers not just to protest against Government but to properly articulate solutions to the issues that necessitated their taking to the streets. A sincere and effective government should not be afraid of Peaceful Citizens action and they should definitely not ignore it or frustrate its citizens taking to the streets. The government should not use it supporters or propaganda machinery to cow its opponents as its beginning to unfold on social media about the March.

To mark the inauguration of Donald Trump as American President, Thousands of Americans took to the street to express their disapproval for many of his policies. I urge the ardent supporters of the Buhari’s government or those appointed by the President that it will not be beneficial to their course to negatively label the Protest March or even to try to shut it down. A positive response will rather help the image of the administration. It is also an opportunity for the supporters of the Federal Government, the Legislature or the Judiciary to use all communication or citizens engagement channels to educate or negotiate with the INTENDING PROTESTORS. The intending Protestors should not allow any political party to hijack their protest and dictate the tune of it so as to exploit the March for the 2019 Elections or the division of the country along religious, ethnic or geographic lines but their primary interest should be the nation’s growth, development and welfare of all citizens.

Knowing that some of my friends and some of those who don’t really like any personal views I express on social media might misunderstand this post, let me emphatically state that I REMAIN A SUPPORTER OF THE BUHARI’S ADMINISTRATION CHANGE AND PROGRESS AGENDA BUT I ALSO SUPPORT EVERY AND ANY PEACEFUL MARCH INTENDED TO MOUNT PRESSURE ON ALL ARMS OF GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ALL POSSIBLE URGENT STEPS TO AMELIORATE THE SUFFERINGS OF NIGERIANS. I DO NOT HOWEVER SUPPORT ANY OR EVERY MARCH SPONSORED BY ANY OF THE POLITICAL PARTIES OR POLITICIANS COVERTLY OR OVERTLY  AS A MEANS OF DISRUPTING OR BRINGING DOWN THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT THEIR SELFISH INTEREST. This is my CANDID OPINION- Leader BEN USANG