‘Have a rethink’ — Yakubu Maikyau asks protest organisers to consider economic implications

Yakubu Maikyau, the outgoing president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has appealed to the youths to consider the “possible outcome” of the planned protest on the country’s economy and security.

In a statement issued on Monday, Maikyau said past experiences from nationwide protests show that unscrupulous elements usually hijack it to commit heinous acts.

The NBA president said the state of the nation at the moment cannot be “compared to the experience of civil unrest and the chaos” rising from a protest.

Maikyau said Nigerians are battling hunger and insecurity, adding that President Bola Tinubu must undertake an evaluation of his appointees.

He added that Nigerians need to be “convinced of the sincerity of government” in rescuing them from the economic crisis.

“It is against this background that I most humbly appeal to Nigerians, particularly those that have decided to embark on the planned street protest, to have a rethink and take a second look at what could be the possible outcome of embarking on such an exercise to our security, economy, and existence,” the NBA president said.

“Our past experiences with mass protests are that they are usually hijacked by unscrupulous elements who use the opportunity to commit heinous crimes and thus turn an otherwise peaceful protest into a riot.

“Whatever we are going through right now cannot be compared to the experience of a civil unrest and the chaos that could ensue therefrom.

“Needless to mention nations that are currently going through wars with the attendant carnage and destruction. We do not even want to imagine what the experience would be, and we must forbid it.”

The NBA president urged the protest organisers to call off the planned demonstration and “come together for a frank and sincere discussion” with the government.

The nationwide protests over the economic hardship in the country have been slated for the first week of August.

The federal government and President Bola Tinubu have appealed to the youth to shelve the planned demonstration.