Following the government’s last-minute intervention, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) called off the planned statewide protest on Sunday, which was set to begin Monday.
NANS had previously called for the sacking of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and the Ministry of Power in response to the ongoing fuel crisis and epileptic electricity supply.
The association announced the suspension of the planned nationwide protest in a statement signed by Senator Akinteye Afeez Babatunde and co-signed by zone leaders: Comrades Bilal Lawal Kurfi, Coordinator Zone A, Daniel Friday Egga, Coordinator Zone C (North Central), Alao John Southwest, Zone D, Chidi Nzekwe, Zone F, and Bappa Hassan Adam, Zone E.
The statement read in parts, “We announce the suspension of the proposed national protest aimed at addressing the fuel scarcity crisis and demanding the resignation of key officials in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and the Ministry of Power.
“The government has initiated dialogue and has provided assurances that measures would be taken to end the fuel scarcity crisis and also promised improvement in Electricity supply before the end of next week.
“While we remain vigilant in our pursuit of accountability and good governance, we believe that engaging in dialogue presents an opportunity to address our concerns through constructive means.
“As student leaders, our agitations are not fueled by personal animosity towards the NNPCL GCEO and the Minister for Power, but rather by our responsibility as a pressure group to hold them accountable for their actions.
“We recognize the importance of keeping government officials accountable and ensuring transparency in the management of our nation’s resources.
“Our decision to suspend mobilization towards a national protest till further notice comes as a result of our collective recognition that lasting solutions often emerge from constructive dialogue and negotiation.
“As the saying goes, “The longest war in history was resolved on the round table,” underscoring the importance of diplomacy and peaceful resolution in addressing complex issues.
“While our initial call for protest was driven by frustration and urgency in addressing the fuel scarcity and electricity crisis gripping our nation, we recognize the potential for meaningful change through dialogue. By engaging in discussions with government officials, stakeholders, and relevant parties, we aim to seek sustainable solutions that address the root causes of the challenges facing the energy sector.”
The assistant explained much as it members also felt the impact of the situation like other Nigerians, it explained the suspension became necessary in order not to exacerbate their sufferings with unnecessary protests.
“Our decision to suspend the proposed protest till further notice also reflects our commitment to acting in the best interests of the Nigerian people and seeking solutions that benefit all citizens.
“We will continue our engagement with the government and advocate for the implementation of our demands to address the root causes of the fuel scarcity crisis and improve the energy sector.
“We remain steadfast in our pursuit of positive change and will not hesitate to resume our advocacy efforts if progress is not made.
“The Nigerian Students will provide further updates on the progress and outcomes of the dialogue with the government. And we reaffirms our commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria.
The statement added, “We urge all stakeholders to approach the dialogue process with sincerity and a genuine desire to find lasting solutions to the challenges facing our nation.
“On this note, we call on all student structures and sister bodies to join us as we embark on the dialogue process towards achieving lasting peace and meaningful change in our nation. Together, united in purpose, we can advocate for the interests of the Nigerian people and work towards a brighter future for all. Let us stand in solidarity and strive for progress through dialogue, cooperation, and collective action.”
