Protest: IHRC calls for caution, task Tinubu on Federal Dialogue Committee

A Switzerland-based intergovernmental Organization, the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) in Nigeria, has commended the solidarity of Nigerians seeking good governance, however, urging them to embrace dialogue against protest as a means of restoring normalcy and reinstating inclusiveness in Nigerian society.

The Organization’s Ambassador-at-Large/Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah asserted on Thursday in Abuja.

He recounted the hunger and economic hardship plaguing Nigerians particularly how it has advanced criminal activities by unscrupulous persons who are constituting mayhem, insecurity, and kidnapping in the broad daylight.

Regarding the agitated nationwide protest, Dr. Duru said let’s give dialogue a chance. He acknowledged that although protest is a fundamental human right enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution, he noted that protesting as a medium of conveying agitations or demands has failed in recent times.

The fundamental rights of citizens are indeed the bedrock for managing and mitigating conflict, spurring economic growth, and protecting human dignity, while countries with democratic freedoms are more just, peaceful, and stable, and citizens can fulfill their potential.

He therefore called on President Bola Tinubu to constitute a Federal Dialogue Committee (FEDIC), an independent and politically active civil society network that will focus on strengthening and promoting accountable and transparent governance, dialogue, and negotiations as they span full respect for human rights, multi-actor partnership, equity, and responsiveness (to the needs of the people).

He said, our current efforts at nation-building and the modest achievements we have made as a nation over the years are the positive outcomes of the time and energy our forebears invested in national dialogues. We must, therefore, continue to embrace the culture of dialogue as a civilized way to settle our differences in Nigeria.

According to him, Nigerians shouldn’t embark on any protest, but rather give dialogue a chance, because dialogue is the most effective way to build consensus and resolve conflicts in any society; bringing people of different agitations to a round table where every concern can be fairly considered.

The Ambassador-at-Large decried the fears of hoodlums destabilizing the planned protest, which will leave many unanswered questions, irregularities, and uncomfortable government policies suffered by the masses still unaddressed but worsening the situation.

And the fact will remain that our people can no longer continue to live in penury, hence they’ll always agitate, unfortunately, protesting about it will yield little or no results”, he hinted.

“Mr. President, and as a father to the nation, this is the right time to demonstrate your administrative skills and fatherly knowledge; I implore you to establish the Federal Dialogue Committee, to address the real drivers with all key interest groups invited to participate, including civil society, women, youth, and other traditionally excluded groups, this could salvage the nation from anarchy”.

“I have the hope that Nigerians will embrace dialogue and desist from the planned protest, with the assurances that President Tinubu’s Administration will as well engage effectively. Let’s give them time to rebuild our nation”.