Dialogue, Not Destruction, Is The Answer – Ovie Of Great Idjerhe Begs Protesters To Suspend Protest

…Urged government to adopt a people-oriented approach to resolving the crisis

The Ovie of Great Idjerhe Kingdom, King Obukowho Whiskey, Udurhie I, has appealed to Nigerian youths to suspend the ongoing #EndBadGovernance and #Hunger protests and engage in dialogue with the government to address the country’s challenges.

In a statement he personally signed and released to newsmen on Tuesday, the revered monarch commended peaceful protesters but condemned the destruction of properties and looting by some elements who hijacked the genuine protest to loot and destroy public and private properties.

“The avoidable deaths and destruction of properties… cannot and will not bring needed solutions,” King Whiskey said, adding, “No doubt, there is hardship on the land. Our people are hungry, but the government has assured us that they are doing everything to lift Nigerians out of this present phase”.

He, therefore appealed to the youths to suspend the protest for the interest of the nation and engage the government on critical areas of need, warning that peaceful protest, as enshrined in the nation’s constitution, does not give room for wanton destructions of private and public properties.

“I passionately beg you, my children, to suspend the protest in the interest of our country”, he said, adding, “We should redirect our energy and human resources towards using dialogue and alternative dispute resolutions to address issues of national interest, as the patriotic desire of mass protest promoters has now been hijacked and serious care is required to come out of this without collateral damages”.

He urged the government to adopt a people-oriented approach to resolving the crisis, saying, “The President, as a true Democrat and father, should look between the lines and adopt a more people-oriented approach to resolving this national uprising.”

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The monarch stressed the need for collaboration between federal, state, and local governments to tackle Nigeria’s problems, saying, “The federal government cannot do it alone. The states and local governments must collaborate with the centre, irrespective of political linings, to save our motherland.”

“I solemnly call on the government at all levels in the country to urgently design policies and programmes especially in the areas of security and agriculture, to tackle the nation’s multifaceted problems.

“The issue raised should be critically appraised, and the needed solutions that can address those issues that are affecting the living standards of ordinary Nigerians should be looked into using the father-and-son relationship approach. 

“Let’s look inward and promote things that unite the nation rather than things that divide us. Let peace reign supreme in our land”, the monarch reiterated.