More than 20 civil society organisations (CSOs) in Kaduna State have suspended their planned October 1 peaceful protest, citing concerns that criminal elements could hijack the demonstration and trigger confrontation between protesters and security agencies.
The groups, operating under the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), said the decision followed consultations with relevant stakeholders and an assessment of the security situation in the state.
Addressing journalists in Kaduna on Thursday, the convener of the coalition, Aminu Haruna, said the suspension was not an abandonment of the groups’ responsibility to hold government accountable, but a measure aimed at preventing the demonstration from degenerating into violence.
Haruna said the coalition had considered the security measures being implemented by the Federal and Kaduna State governments, as well as security agencies, before opting for structured dialogue.
“We don’t want the protest to cause chaos,” he said.
According to him, consultations with stakeholders showed that some individuals could exploit the protest for purposes unrelated to the organisers’ demands.
“We realise that people are ready to take advantage of today’s protest. And then, we don’t want this protest to cause chaos,” Haruna said.
He said the coalition weighed the advantages and disadvantages of proceeding with the demonstration and concluded that the potential consequences could outweigh its immediate objectives.
“Instead of having a peaceful demonstration to demand what is right, at the end of the day it will end up with a conflict between citizens and the security personnel. And you know it will never go well,” he said.
The coalition stressed that the suspension did not mean it had abandoned peaceful protests as a legitimate means of expressing citizens’ grievances.
It said its demands concerning the welfare of Nigerians, particularly Kaduna residents, had been documented and would be conveyed to the executive arm of government through the security agencies.
Following its decision to suspend the protest, the groups commended the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Ajayi, for what they described as operational support and leadership.
They also praised the Kaduna State Police Command and the Kaduna State DSS for their proactive engagement, swift action and open dialogue during their engagements with the organisations.
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The coalition also commended the Kaduna State Government under Governor Uba Sani for its efforts to strengthen security in the state.
Turning to the issue of the death penalty for convicted kidnappers, particularly following a recent death sentence in Edo State, the coalition expressed support for the execution of prisoners whose sentences had been lawfully handed down by competent courts.
Haruna, however, urged state governors to exercise their constitutional responsibilities concerning inmates on death row, saying many condemned prisoners had remained in custody for years because governors were reluctant to approve their execution.
“We wish to use today, the first of October, to appeal to all governors in this country that anybody on death row in your state should be executed,” Haruna said.