Students of tertiary institutions in Ogun State, on Wednesday distanced themselves from the nationwide protest against hunger and poor governance scheduled to begin today.
The students, under the auspices of the National Association of Nigerian Students and National Association of Ogun State Students said, although they were not against any group protesting, they would not be participating in the protest.
The protest, tagged #EndBadGovernance, is scheduled to take place in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory from August 1 to 10, over the rising economic hardship in the country.
But, the students while staging a rally against the planned protest in Abeokuta, the state capital on Wednesday, expressed concerns that the planned protest may be hijacked by hoodlums to cause chaos and disrupt the peace of the country.
Addressing journalists during the rally, National President of NAOSS, Thomas Kehinde, called on students not to join any protest and to shun any calls to participate in anyone under the guise of nationwide protests.
Kehinde said, “We, the leaders of the collective students structures in Ogun state have staged this rally to emphasise that, students community in Ogun state will not be part of the planned nationwide protests.
“As you are aware, the organisers of the protests are mobilising across the country in preparation for the march against the current economic hardship in the country. Though, we are not against any group or groups protesting, we are using this avenue to declare our intention and readiness not be part of these protests.
“To this end, we are calling on students in Ogun State not to join any protest and to shun any calls to participate in anyone under the guise of nationwide protests.
“Though planners of the protests said that they would be organised in a peaceful manner; that is easier said than done. We want to caution that such protests could be hijacked by the hoodlums to perpetrate looting, robbery, vandalisation of both public and private infrastructure as well as attacks on targeted personalities.”
Similarly, he said clandestine factors could come into play and thereby escalate the situation from just a peaceful protest to violence and ill wind which blows anybody good.
“As Nigerians, the bitter experience of the EndSARS protests is still lingering in our memories. Therefore, to avoid the replay of the wanton destruction and alleged killings that accompanied the EndSARS protests, we hereby emphasize that students in Ogun should stay away from the nationwide protests.
“Leaderships of students associations in Ogun State as organised associations dedicated to serving the interests of students will never drive their members to participate in activities that have high propensity of leading in violence and destruction.
“Therefore, we urge students in the State to remain calm and continue to believe in the ability of their leaders to champion the cause of their welfare and well-being in manners devoid of violence,” he urged.
