Ex-PDP Chairman, Secondus Supports Planned Hunger Protest

A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has expressed his support for the upcoming #EndBadGovernance protest in Nigeria.

In a statement released on Tuesday by his media aide, Ike Abonyi, Secondus questioned President Bola Tinubu's opposition to the protest, highlighting Tinubu's history of leading civic actions.

Secondus reminded President Tinubu of his active role in leading protests during his time in opposition, stating, "President Tinubu, while in opposition, was a notable arrowhead leading protests against the government."

He questioned why the President now opposes such civic actions, which are crucial for democratic engagement.

Emphasizing the importance of peaceful protests, Secondus noted that civic actions are vital in addressing the country's current challenges.

He said, "The state of anomie where we find ourselves today as a country incrementally worsened because the citizens failed in their duty to hold governments at all levels accountable."

He described the planned protest as a non-partisan, pan-Nigerian, and altruistic engagement aimed at addressing the malaise in the country.

"This protest should not be discouraged. Protests remain the most potent democratic platform through which the consciousness of nations can be aroused and indeed the consciousness of the leadership elite can be nudged and compelled to act right in the interest of citizens," Secondus added.

Secondus urged the protesters to remain organized and peaceful, while calling on the government and security agencies to provide a secure environment for the protest, in line with international law and the Nigerian Constitution.

"This is not the time to sweep issues under the carpet; it is the time to speak truth to power and awaken our collective conscience so that we can work together to build a better society," he said.

The #EndBadGovernance protest, scheduled to begin on August 1, aims to address issues of governance, economic hardship, and other societal challenges facing Nigeria.