A pro-democracy group, Defend Nigeria Movement (DNM) has passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu and his economic reform policies and warned citizens against destroying the nation with violent protest.

The group made the remark during a peaceful protest tagged “no violent protest” held at the Alausa secretariat gate on Thursday.

The Convener of the group, Razaq Olokoba call on residents of Lagos and Nigerians living across the country to shun the ongoing nationwide hunger protest, to avoid anarchy and chaos, warning that “citizens must not allow the country to be thrown into a frenzy of bloodbaths and retrogressive, destructive violence as the nation witnessed during the #EndSars fiasco”.

Olokoba urged Lagosians to defend the state, maintain peaceful protest, and join hard-working Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to develop the state further; Adding that the promoters of ongoing protests are only interested in insurrection to overthrow the constitutional, democratic governance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The statement reads: We, as a rare breed of people proud of our heritage, conscious of historic duties, roles, and responsibilities, gathered here in this wee-hours of this day, Thursday, 1st. August 2024, to solemnly meditate and publicly declare our undiluted, patriotic fervor to rescue our great nation from the jaws of jackals, sharks, and hawks. With the last drop of blood in our veins, join hands with every force in the sky that is committed to the transformation of Nigeria to attain its lofty, great heights in the global comity of nations.

Any naive observer would be tempted to dismiss Nigeria that it can never overcome the presently inflicted, spectre of acute crisis, insecurities, socioeconomic hardships, and political hullaballoo. This is not true. It can never be our reality. Rather, all prophets of doom shall soon be on bended knees to seek our forgiveness. They do not know the sterner stuff Nigerian societies and its people are made of.

For those who may not be conversant with our history, present-day Nigeria’s geo-political space is peopled by the children of ancient climes like; the Great Oyo, Benin, Nupe, Kanuri, Urhobo, Ijaw, Igbo, Hausa – Fulani and Kanem – Borno empires. We assert again, we are proud of who we are. We are ingenious, hardworking, and resilient people. This time. This cross shall pass. Just as the slave era. Just as the colonial ers. Just as the era of absolute military dictatorship.

The purpose of our gatherings today, is to lay eloquent testimonials to these assertions. Nigerians are far richer in human, minerals, and natural resources than any other country in the world. This is outside our treasured land, vegetation, ocean, rivers, and climate. We can and shall get it right soon.

It is important to note that, what we are doing here is to uphold the inalienable rights of all law-abiding citizens to assemble and express themselves within the modicum of the law. A right that does not infringe on others’ right of freedom of movement as well as expression. We are teaching citizens how not to disrupt the process of production and the right to means of livelihood of others.

The naked truth is that we are on top of credible information that exposes the promoters of the ongoing call for protests from the 1st of August who are interested in insurrection to overthrow the constitutional, democratic governance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the alter of political exigencies. Some elements are looting cabals in the oil and gas sector, the Forex Business, and other entrenched power-mongering cabals.

We cannot afford the country to be thrown into a frenzy of bloodbaths and retrogressive, destructive violence as the nation witnessed during the #EndSaars fiasco.

Lagos is our heritage let’s join hands with the hard-working Governor of Lagos State Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to continue his good work, let’s Defend our Lagos from the bad people and haters of development.

We hereby call on all our members to hold forth in their respective neighborhoods and communities. Our city must not fall, we must assert. If any of our precious public facilities are destroyed, we will be paying for it with our hard-earned taxpayer’s money, which will further derail development in our communities. This is why every stakeholder; traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, youths, and business owners must come together to protect our common patrimony.

As we seize this solemn moment to meditate and pray for a better and brighter Nigeria, we also assure Nigerians and the global community that our great country remains a stable and peaceful society to live in. We urge you to continue your usual business without fear or apprehension.

We cannot afford the country to be thrown into a frenzy of bloodbaths and retrogressive, destructive violence as the nation witnessed during the #EndSaars fiasco.

The naked truth is that we are on top of credible information that exposes the promoters of the ongoing call for protests from 1st. August is interested in an insurrection to overthrow the constitutional, democratic governance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Defend Nigeria Movement’s Clarion Call are as follows:
1. All leaders of thought, traditional, community, and business top decision-makers must speak out against violent protests.
2. Build a people network against those planning to cause havoc and wanton destruction of public properties.
3. All patriotic citizens must join hands to build an alliance against socioeconomic saboteurs.
4. We must never give the military any rationale to organize coups again in the country.
5. Peace is needed for development, growth, and security.
6. We equally call on the government to partner with civic forces to address hardships in the country.
7. We restate our unalloyed vote of confidence in the Presidency of Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Federal Government’s reform policies shall yield positive dividends. Patience, Understanding, and Unity of Purpose are necessary for the stability of Nigeria.