Ayoola Lawal, the former Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Committee of Diaspora Chairmen, has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to disclose the identities of those funding the planned nationwide protests.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Lawal emphasized the importance of transparency to preserve public trust and to clarify the intentions of the protest’s backers. He expressed concern over the DSS’s recent warnings regarding the protests.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya stated on Thursday that the protests, which aim to address economic and governance issues in Nigeria, are suspected to be politically motivated and influenced by certain individuals and groups.
Lawal, who recently served as the APC Chairman in the Scandinavian countries, argued that revealing the sponsors would help achieve several objectives.
“Firstly, it will clarify whether these individuals or groups genuinely represent the interests and grievances of the Nigerian populace or if they are pursuing personal or political agendas.
“Transparency is vital to ensure the public can distinguish between legitimate calls for action and potential manipulation by those with nefarious intentions.
“Moreover, the DSS has expressed concerns that the protest can lead to violence and disrupt public peace,” he said.
Lawal said that while maintaining security was paramount, it was equally important to respect Nigerians’ fundamental rights.
But the DSS’s warning, without specific details or evidence, risks being perceived as an attempt to suppress dissent and can further erode public trust in governmental institutions.
“It is essential to approach this situation with a commitment to democratic principles. President Bola Tinubu’s administration has made efforts to address the underlying issues driving public discontent.
“The present administration is addressing such economic hardship in Nigeria, social inequities, taking the blame for the non-performance of state and local governments.
“President Tinubu cannot be tagged as suppressing the protest because he has been seen working around the clock, dialoguing and pleading for more time.
