By Chuks Peter, DELTA
Chief Mulade Sheriff, the National Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), has called for the prosecution of protesters who were seen waving the Russian flag during the #EndBadGovernance protest.
In a statement made available to journalists in Asaba, Delta State capital, Mulade said that such actions constitute a treasonable offense with serious implications for Nigeria.
He stated, “Waving the Russian flag is a treasonable offense with strong implications for Nigeria. The protest has nothing to do with waving any other nation’s flag as Nigeria is a sovereign nation with its own internal socio-economic issues.”
Mulade outlined five critical areas that the government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, needs to address to alleviate the nation’s hardships.
He stressed the importance of taking immediate and drastic steps to address the critical economic hardships raised by Nigerians, noting that over 80% of Nigerians are directly or indirectly involved in the protest due to economic hardship.
“The Federal Government must take drastic steps to address the critical economic hardship raised by Nigerians.
“Over 80% of Nigerians are involved directly or indirectly in the protest due to economic hardship. Therefore, the government should not undermine the demands and concerns raised to avoid recurrence,” he said.
Mulade urged President Tinubu to consider reversing the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS) for about six months, pending the functionality of the Port-Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries.
“I strongly appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider reversing the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS) for about six months, pending the functionality of the Port-Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries,” he added.
Similarly, Mulade highlighted the need for the Federal Government to urgently tackle and end security challenges to guarantee food availability and security, especially for farmers.
“The Federal Government should urgently tackle and end security challenges to guarantee food availability and security, especially for our farmers,” he emphasised.
He also called for exemplary leadership by cutting down the cost of governance, suggesting that this should be followed by state governors.
Mulade added that the government’s laudable educational initiative would be more appreciated if the student loan scheme is redirected as a ‘Student Educational Support Programme’ to encourage youth, especially students.
“The government’s laudable educational initiative would be more appreciated if the student loan scheme is redirected as a ‘Student Educational Support Programme’ to encourage the youth, especially students,” he said.
Finally, Mulade called for the Federal Government to genuinely strengthen the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to end corruption, irrespective of political affiliation, to build a nation for the future.
“The Federal Government should genuinely strengthen the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to end corruption, irrespective of political affiliation, to build a nation for the future,” he concluded.