Southern Monarchs Urge Dialogue Over Planned October Protest

The Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council has urged groups planning to stage protests on October 1st to reconsider and instead pursue dialogue. In a statement released by the council’s Publicity Secretary, Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, the Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom in Abia State, the council warned that further protests could exacerbate the country’s economic challenges and put additional strain on the well-being of Nigerians.

This caution follows the aftermath of the August 1-10 nationwide #EndBadGovernance and #Hunger protests, which escalated into violence, particularly in the North, resulting in loss of lives, destruction of public property, and widespread looting.

The Southern monarchs acknowledged the difficult economic conditions in the country and assured that they would continue to engage with the government to improve the lives of all Nigerians. However, they emphasized the importance of peace and unity during these trying times, urging groups like the Nigerian Labour Congress to shelve their planned protests and opt for dialogue instead.

“Nigeria needs peace, and all hands must be on deck to make the country work,” the council stated.

In addition, the council condemned the recent murder of the Emir of Gobir in Gwata town, Sokoto State, Alhaji Mohammed Bawa, by kidnappers. They expressed deep concern over the increasing incidents of killings, kidnappings, and banditry across the country, calling for urgent action from the government and security agencies.

The Southern monarchs extended their condolences to the government of Sokoto State, the Sultan of Sokoto, and the family of the late Emir, lamenting the loss of a traditional ruler who, like others, served as a custodian of culture and heritage.

“The evil killers fail to realize that traditional rulers are the custodians of our culture, the link to our past, and should never be targeted,” the council said, urging an immediate end to the kidnapping and killing of traditional rulers and other citizens across the country.