TINUBU NATIONAL THINK TANK (TNT) A POLITICAL NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION POSITION ON THE PLANNED PROTEST
We are all aware of the raging controversy over the plans by some disgruntled elements who are canvassing for protests and demonstrations. Let it be categorically stated that we members of TINUBU NATIONAL THINK TANK (TNT) are not party to this undemocratic move. Although, the issue of staging a protest is a settled matter in a democracy when it is necessary and needful. In Nigeria, there have been series of protests with different outcomes. The democracy we are experiencing today is a product of protest and Mr. President was a proud and active participant among other nationalists. But the question to be answered by promoters of the current but ill planned protest is, what is the rationale for their action? They haven’t tabled any reason that necessitate a protest in Nigeria at this time. The security and economic hardship trending is a culmination of actions and inactions of past governments. Investments are bound to produce results. Nigeria is harvesting the seeds sowed by accumulated years of our sad realities.
At the end of every protest riot, there is always minimum of 1% reduction in GDP for consecutive six quarters after the riot which means economy is shrinking, and whenever there is fall in GDP for two quarters in a row, that is known as recession which can lead to pay freeze and job losses
We believe protest is not the solution to whatever problems on ground most especially protest with invisible organizers like this is a clear anarchy in the embryo. Protests. Riots, Disturbances, Upheavals will not yield any positive results rather they will set us back another five to ten years or more, therefore, let us dialogue and channel our grievances in a more civilized way.
Once again, TNT totally condemns the planned protest and the unpatriotic planners. We urge Nigerians to keep supporting Mr President in the onerous task of leading Nigeria out of the woods and giving us the renewed hope by tackling one problem after another and some of the measures in place to solve them are; Institutional Reforms, funding of average Nigerian students’ education through student loan with easy repayment terms, upward review of Minimum Wage, stabilization of exchange rate, infrastructural development etc. We need to give the President some time to consolidate and confront these problems bearing in mind that he actually inherited all of them. Please let us give peace a chance. We cannot destroy what we have collectively built over the years. Our “Banners” that we intend to hand over to our children must not have any ” blood stain”. Let us allow reason to prevail.
We strongly advise Nigerian youths to reject any attempt by any group or persons to lure them into joining this protest, they should remember that it is only those who sit in their house and watch from their screen that will reap the benefit of any protest if eventually there is any
Yoruba adage says “A ki so fun omode pe ko ma dete, to ba ti le da Igbo gbe”. (You don’t tell a child not to incur leprosy provided he can live alone in the bush). Most of these people that are asked to come out to protest never experienced Alli must go, Obasanjo must die riot in 1977 in which Unilag Akintunde Ojo , the only child of his parents was killed, the ABU riot of 1985 when many university students were killed across Nigeria, the SAP riot of 1990 and June 12 riot 1993 when many youth corpses litter the streets in various parts of Nigeria. I once had a friend who was a MOPOL several years ago and he told us to always run away from riots because each MOPOL is given minimum of 40 bullets to discharge against rioters. So ki olomo kilo fun omo re. Is it not stupidity that you go and face someone with gun when you are armless.
Those who lost their lives in the last ENDSARS riot of 2020 never lived to witness today, those who lost properties and loved ones never recovered till today. No matter how long you stage a protest none of President’s family members will feel it, no minister will feel it neither will any governor or Chairmen of local government lose anything, the masses suffer the consequences in the end. Why then do we want to subject ourselves to such untold hardship that will accompany this protest? Let us think and advise our brothers and sisters to stop the plan to join any protest.

From the desk of TINUBU NATIONAL THINK TANK (TNT)

SIGNED:
AMB(Dr.)ADEWALE ADEOGUN BARR. OLAYINKA BALOGUN National Coordinator Chairman Adhoc Committe