Hardship Protest: “Six Ways Peaceful Protests Turn Violent,” Shehu Sani Speaks

• The planned nationwide protest against President Tinubu's government has continued to generate reactions in the polity
• While some top personalities have backed the #endbadgovernment protest that will be held on August 1, others have backed out and sent a strong warning to the organisers of the movement
• On Sunday, July 28, former Kaduna Senator Shehu Sani voiced concerns about the protests and shared six ways the peaceful demonstration may turn violent

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani has stated that the shooting of protesters by armed security operatives is capable of turning a peaceful protest violent.

The ex-lawmaker listed this, among other reasons, in a post shared on his X page on Sunday, July 28, 2024.

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Sani’s tweet comes amid heightened tension over the planned protest scheduled to take place from August 1 to 10, 2024 by some Nigerians calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government to ameliorate the hunger crisis in the country, among other national concerns, The Punch reported.

The chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in his tweet, mentioned "six ways a peaceful protest could result into a violent one.

Shehu Sani highlighted them below;

1.Armed security forces shooting at protesters with live ammunition.

2.Thugs among the protesters attacking and looting Shops, offices, homes and public facilities.

3.Sponsored thugs attacking peaceful protesters.

4.Protesters refusal to obey their leaders leading to loss of control.

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5.The Clashing of two opposing protest groups.

6.The infiltration of Peaceful Protesters by others with ulterior motives.

Protest: Nigerians react to Shehu Sani's warnings

Legit.ng captured some reactions below;

@EXCELLENTSALVIC tweeted:

"Which will happen this time."

@mariamikeh tweeted:

"The hunger is just too much."

@Its_ereko tweeted:

"If the police and army do anything wey go provoke us then Tinubu must Resign."

@Ohijeme tweeted:

"All you listed are possible and will happen during the protest especially with Tinubu being the chief of thugs and agberos. He has mobilised them already but I pray the Nigeria youths rises to the occasion and overwhelm them."

Read more on the planned nationwide protest

• End bad governance agitators told where to protest
• Hardship protest: Professor Farooq Kperogi identifies ‘sponsors’
• Wike gives strict conditions for hunger protest in Abuja

'Planned protest potentially dangerous', Bwala

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Barrister Daniel Bwala, a former presidential campaign spokesperson to Atiku Abubakar, said a nationwide protest is not necessary at this point.

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Speaking to state house correspondents shortly after meeting with President Tinubu, Bwala described the planned protest as "politically motivated".

The legal practitioner urged Nigerians to give Tinubu more time as the president is aware of the challenges the country is currently facing.

Source: Legit.ng