Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has berated the Nigerian government for the cancellation of the planned anti-government protest.
Popular Nigerian hip-hop artiste, Innocent Idibia, better known as Tuface, who had been at the vanguard of a much-publicised February 6 anti-government protest, cancelled the plan on Saturday, citing “security challenges”.
Tuface called for nationwide protest against Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis that has seen costs of goods and services skyrocket, with many families struggling to survive.
But police warned against the protest after initially promising to provide security.
Police authorities said on Friday they had “credible intelligence” that other groups were planning a counter protests on the same day and at the same venues, saying the event could turn violent.
But in a series of tweets on Sunday morning, Mrs. Ezekwesili, a vocal member of #BringBackOurGirls campaign group, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to allow Nigerians cry out their pains.
On her verified twitter handle, @Obyezeks, she tweeted,
“Mr. Pres @MBuhari Mr. VP @ProfOsinbajo Allow the people of your Land CRY OUT their pain on Monday. LISTEN, EMPATHIZE & RETHINK POLICIES.”
Explaining further, the former minister decried the claim of Nigerian Police that it could not secure participants at the protest.
“Mr. Pres @MBuhari Mr. VP @ProfOsinbajo Your Govt CANNOT SECURE YOUR CITIZENS THAT WANT TO GATHER AND SPEAK THEIR PAIN TO YOU? Haba. Haba,”
“Mr. Pres @MBuhari Mr. VP @ProfOsinbajo The people of your Land are CRYING OUT in PAIN. Ask God for WISDOM to GIVE THEM A GOOD ANSWER,”
She also implored the Nigerian government to listen to citizens’ plight and not bully them into silence.
“Mr. Pres @MBuhari Mr. VP @ProfOsinbajo When the people of your Land CRY OUT in PAIN saying, “Lighten our yoke”, you listen NOT REPRESS,” she wrote.
In its reaction to the announced cancellation by Tuface, a civic group, Enough is Enough Nigeria, has said it will proceed with it without the pop star.
“We respect @official2baba’s security concerns but the marches in #Lagos & #Abuja will go ahead. #IStandWithNigeria #OneVoiceNigeria,” the group said.
Meanwhile, mixed reactions have trailed the cancellation announced by Tuface.
Ogo chris, a twitter user, said: “2baba was just a voice. Nigerians are stronger than the forces that be. Common Nigerians we can!”
Toni bliss, another follower, tweeted, “thanks for the leap. will never take tubaba serious for anything in my life. the protest must GO ON. #ISTANDWITHNIGERIA.”
Another user, opposed to the rally and tweeting via @Woye1, said ” no March again. Better go to ur office on Monday. Security officers should do d needful. Go and make money.”
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Mrs Ezekwesili should be celebrating Sai baba and Osibajo for warning 2Baba before hand. They knock some senses in him, they could have let him go ahead with the protest and when things go wrong on the day of protest like our able commissioner had predicted , they would have used the law to deal with him like it has well dealt with Nnamdi Kanu, Femi Fani (Fani Power) kayode, or make his life a living hell like they do to Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
2Face should be celebrating he dodged a bullet from a freaking crazy bit€#…
They should all take the advice of Idina Menzel #SnowQueenElsa and let it go. If they refuse, it will never end well.
Mrs Ezekwesili should be celebrating Sai baba and Osibajo for warning 2Baba before hand. They knock some senses in him, they could have let him go ahead with the protest and when things go wrong on the day of protest like our able commissioner had predicted , they would have used the law to deal with him like it has well dealt with Nnamdi Kanu, Femi Fani (Fani Power) kayode, or make his life a living hell like they do to Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
2Face should be celebrating he dodged a bullet from a freaking crazy bit€#…
They should all take the advice of Idina Menzel #SnowQueenElsa and let it go. If they refuse, it will never end well.