A group of eminent Nigerians under the aegis of the Patriots, has said that the Federal Government cannot address the current wave of protests by the Indigenous People of Biafra,IPOB, by using force on the protesters.
It also warned that arresting the protesters would accentuate the problem, adding that the government should be persuaded to release the IPOB leader to enable the elders of the land speak words of wisdom to him.
Some of the members of The Patriots at the briefing included, Chief Solomon Asemota (SAN), Chief Philip Asiodu and Mr. Michael Orobator., among others.
The group urged President Muhammadu Buhari to see the national question as the country’s foremost problem, noting that it is more challenging than corruption.
Briefing newsmen on the state of the nation yesterday in Lagos, the Chairman of the Patriots, Prof Ben Nwabueze (SAN), urged the Federal Government to avoid being selective in its war against corruption.
His words: ‘’The Federal Government should try to deal with the protests in a more matured way and not by arresting everybody and putting them in prison. That will accentuate the whole situation.
“I think they should reason with these youngsters. They are young people. In my view, I will say to the protesters not to put the entire people, the people into another situation which they did not bargain for. ’We have to consider what has given rise to these protests. I don’t necessarily see that the protesters want Biafra actualized. It is the general condition in the country. It involves unemployment and other serious issues which have given rise to youth unrest and protests.
“It is the feeling of the youths. What do you expect from the youths who spend three, four or more years after graduation? The second issue that has given rise to the protests is the issue of injustice. Some areas of the country feel that they have not been well treated.
‘’They feel that they are treated as if they do not belong to the country. Consider the recent appointments in government by our President and the way they are slanted to favour a particular section of the country.’’
