Nationwide Protest: UN Peace Ambassador Calls For Calm, Urges Protesters To Embrace Dialogue

By Akinwale Kasali

The United Nation Country Director, UN-ECOSOC (IAWPA) and Peace Ambassador, Amb. John Adekorede Aderibigbe has appealed to the the Take It Back Movement, TIBM, protesters to give room for peaceful dialogue.

TIBM proceeded with its nationwide protest against the state of the nation, including the abuse of the Cybercrime Act by Security Agencies, hardship, and the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State irrespective of the warnings by the Nigeria Police Force which advised that the protest be shelved due to alleged wrong timing.

The protest has since degenerated to violence in Abuja and Rivers State.

Aderibigbe urged the organizers of the Nationwide Protest, Youths and Nigerians as a whole to remain calm, shun violence, and continue to engage in peaceful and lawful activities either via social media platforms which is seemless, and a more effective way that gives room for inclusion of everyone in the country.

The Peace advocate expressed concerns over the potential for unrest and called for a more constructive approach to addressing national issues.

He admonished them to shun violence, even though they are fighting a genuine cause, but the approach is wrong.

“No doubt, the people need to bring their leaders to book, query their activities and show their grievances over the State of the Nation, but it must be with a right approach, with a good intent that will bring about peace and unity”.

Aderibigbe acknowledged the legitimacy of the grievances driving the calls for protest, he however maintained that peace and national stability must remain top priorities, irrespective of the grievances.

“The development and empowerment of the Youth and Nigerians as a whole should be the main priority of the Government, I strongly understand the frustrations and aspirations of the people leading to this Protest, but i believe that the nation currently requires calm, dialogue, and patience, not actions that could further destabilize our fragile peace.”

He admonished the organizers to embrace peace and not allow the Protest to be hijacked by non state actors and those fanning the ember of hate, working tirelessly to plunge the nation into unnecessary crisis and chaos that will destroy our unity as a nation and affect our fledgling democracy.