By Anthonia Duru
An all female group of the rulling All Progressive Congress (APC) Professional Women Council (PWC), have called on Nigerians to embrace dialogue in place of the planned nationwide protest.
Speaking at an emergency virtual meeting in respect of the planned protests across the federation, representatives of the group from different parts of the globe agreed that there can be protest but cautioned against any act of violence by the protesters.
The Council also wanred all parties involved to prioritize peaceful assembly and constructive dialogue.
While acknowledging the constitutional right to protest, the Council recognizes the devastating impact of violence and destruction on women and children, who often bear the brunt of protests and their aftermath, suffering physical harm, emotional trauma, and displacement.
The Council implores protesters to ensure their actions remain peaceful and free from exploitation by hijackers with nefarious purposes. Simultaneously, we call on the government to adopt a humane approach, engaging with protesters to understand their concerns and implementing processes to effect desired changes.
“Adequate security measures should be provided to ensure the safety of all individuals involved. We emphasize the importance of peaceful coexistence and constructive dialogue in addressing the nation’s challenges.
We urge everyone to remain calm and support the government in its efforts to address the concerns of protesters. Together, we can make Nigeria the giant of Africa, where peace, prosperity, and progress thrive,” the Council states in a press statement released after the meeting.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with our reporter on Monday on the planned protest and state of the nation, National Director of the Council Ronke Shoyombo reiterates that women and youths are often victims of all forms of violence hence he urged all stakeholders to dialogue.
“We want people to be listened to but we don’t want violence. There is need for a roundtable dialogue and we want compliance at every level of business,” she expressed.
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