By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria, comprising more than 100 ethnic nationality groups with millions of members says it has decided to pull out if the planned nationwide protests following the intervention of key stakeholders like Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.
Anyim Pius, a former President of the Senate and a foundation member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had recently defected to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to align his political mission and vision with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a press release signed by its chairman Comrade Mohammed Kazeem and Comrade Emmanuel Gabriel, spokesperson and made available to journalists in Abuja shortly after a stakeholders engagement facilitated by the elder statesman, the group said it succumbed to the superior wisdom and the sound reasoning of stakeholders who are unanimous in calling for restraint and patience as Mr. President is already addressing most of the contending issues.
“We are compelled by superior wisdom of statesmen like Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and glaring facts on the ground to jettison out earlier position on the planned nationwide protests.
While we were convinced that out course of action was legitimate and patriotic, it is humbling to admit that we were deceived by miscreants who are out to discredit the current administration for their personal interests.
“With the opening of our national borders to ease the importation of food and fight food inflation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated a deep commitment to addressing the hunger and pain Nigerians are currently experiencing. It’ll therefore be unwise to continue with the protests when all hands are on deck to address our grievances.
“Just few days ago, Mr. President magnanimously issued an Executive Order mandating NNPCL deliver crude to Dangote Refinery and other Modular refineries operating in the country with naira payment.This is also a step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency, reducing the strain of foreign exchange and making products affordable.
“There are also interventions in the Ministries of Trades and Investment, Youth and Sports, Agriculture and others to address youth unemployment by scaling up skill acquisition programs with a view of creating jobs and empowering Nigerians.
The Consumer Credit Scheme and National Youth Investment fund are just some examples out of many”, the release noted.