Honorable Femi Bamisile has recommended that individuals considering protests against the significant hardships currently affecting the country should instead pursue dialogue with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
As a representative for Ekiti South Federal Constituency II in the House of Representatives, Bamisile emphasized that democracy thrives on communication. He cautioned that peaceful protests could be compromised by malicious actors, recalling the chaos during the #EndSARS protests against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement released to the media in Ado Ekiti, Bamisile encouraged those advocating for a protest against poor governance to prioritize negotiation over confrontation.
As the Chairman of the House Committee on Delegated Legislation, he asserted that engaging in constructive dialogue would be more beneficial for Nigerians during these challenging times than resorting to protests, which could lead to conflict and unintended consequences.
Bamisile noted that the current struggles, characterized by soaring fuel prices and rising food costs, demand collaborative efforts from both national and local governments to alleviate the suffering of citizens, which has sparked widespread frustration.
“While protesting is a fundamental right for all Nigerians, it must be peaceful and non-violent. However, one must question the certainty of that peace, especially in light of the #EndSARS protests that were taken over by unscrupulous individuals,” he remarked.
He pointed out that Lagos State incurred significant losses—over a trillion Naira—due to destruction during the #EndSARS protests, which damaged national landmarks. While he acknowledged the goodwill behind the protests, he urged organizers to consider Nigeria’s intricate political, ethnic, and religious dynamics.
“The nation is a shared responsibility, and there’s nothing wrong with a coalition advocating for good governance. Yet, it must be approached in a civilized manner, with dialogue being the preferred method of engagement,” he stated.
In addressing the ongoing crisis and enhancing the effectiveness of federal government assistance programs, Bamisile called on state governors to ensure equitable distribution of food supplies provided by Tinubu’s administration to alleviate inflationary pressures.
He highlighted that the federal government is currently dispatching 740 truckloads of rice across the 774 local governments, alongside various food aid initiatives sourced from national reserves.
“Our governors must support the federal efforts by ensuring that these resources reach the intended recipients. Any failure in this regard only exacerbates public discontent,” he warned.
Bamisile expressed concern over reports of food diversion in certain states, labeling such actions as disheartening and detrimental to the well-being of the populace. He urged citizens to hold their state leaders accountable for such misconduct.
