Former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has called on protesters to cease their actions, emphasizing that the ongoing unrest is resulting in the needless shedding of innocent blood. Kachikwu highlighted that among the 19 victims of the protests, none were children of politicians or wealthy individuals. He urged those aggrieved to wait for the next presidential election to address issues of bad governance.
Kachikwu also admonished the opposition to offer constructive solutions to the country’s problems instead of inciting violence and seeking the overthrow of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s democratically elected administration.
In a statement made in Abuja, Kachikwu emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration among leaders to tackle the nation’s issues. “We can’t continue killing ourselves. Our streets flow with the blood of the innocent. Over 19 killed in this scam of a protest, all for what? No child of any politician or big man was killed. Just the poor, average Nigerian. Only their family members will cry and mourn for them quietly while those who have made billions from this scam laugh to the bank,” he lamented.
Kachikwu acknowledged the severe hardships faced by Nigerians, with many struggling to afford basic necessities. He called for a roundtable of equity, justice, and fairness to address these challenges and urged President Tinubu to adopt a more inclusive approach in governance. “It is not Tinubu’s problem alone and Tinubu must stop acting like he can do it all by himself. He must show leadership and reach out across party lines to get the best and the brightest to a solution roundtable,” Kachikwu advised.
He further criticized the opposition for merely opposing without providing tangible solutions, stating that a progressive opposition should engage in constructive debate and offer alternative solutions. Kachikwu condemned attempts to undermine the democratic process, likening it to a coup.
Kachikwu also addressed the controversial issue of fuel subsidy removal, arguing that the fraud associated with the scheme should be addressed rather than punishing over 200 million Nigerians. He called for the prosecution of those who abused the subsidy scheme and recommended making it fraud-proof while suspending its removal temporarily.
Reflecting on the broader political landscape, Kachikwu urged President Tinubu to consider national interest in all appointments and to avoid the perception of favoritism. He noted that Tinubu has the potential to succeed if he adopts a more inclusive and less insular approach to governance.
Kachikwu concluded by stressing the need for a unified national effort to address the country’s challenges and called on all Nigerians to return to God for guidance and strength. He warned against the ongoing blame and hate game, advocating for a collective move towards healing and reconciliation.
