By Kelvin Obambon
The organized labour, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), market women, entertainers, commercial drivers, student bodies, youth organizations, among others have all dissociated themselves from the planned nationwide protest in Cross River State, urging their members not to take part in the event billed for 1st August, 2024.
The various groups made their positions known during a press briefing at the Metro Hotel Calabar on Wednesday.
Addressing the press, Comrade Olayi Gregory the state chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), said workers in the state would not participate in the nationwide protest. He said the last ENDSARS protest took Cross River 25 years backwards and that the NLC does not want a repeat of such protest.
Comrade Monday Ogbodim, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) state chairman commended Governor Bassey Otu for approving N10billion for the payment of gratuity. He urged Cross Riverians to give him a chance and not to embark on any action that would disrupt the peace in the state.
He recalled the level of damage done to the state in the last ENDSARS protest, stating that Cross River cannot afford another protest.
Ogbodim stated that the organizers of the protest are faceless, adding “such protest is likely to be hijacked.”
Meanwhile, representative of Civil Society Network, Dr MacFarlane Ejah, called for a roundtable discussion with the government, stressing that the planned nationwide protest can easily get out of hand and degenerate into an uncontrollable violence.
State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Emmanuel Olayi, on his part, opted for constructive dialogue over protest.
Nta Effiom Henshaw, speaking on behalf of commercial drivers, said that transport operators in the state would not support protest of any kind.
He used the opportunity to thank Governor Otu for addressing issues of insecurity and infrastructure, especially in the state capital. He also lauded the government for the reforms undertaken in the transportation sector to enhance security.