In a press briefing on the state of the nation on Saturday, An APC chieftain and former BOT member Dr. Garus Gololo acknowledged the citizens’ right to peaceful protest to express dissatisfaction with the current situation in the country. He emphasized the crucial role of leadership in organizing such protests.
He supported the Inspector General of Police’s idea that protest groups should provide details of their leaders to police commands wherever the wish to protest, for proper coordination.
Gololo stated that his local government would not participate in protests owing to obvious reasons. He stressed that priority should be paid to addressing hunger, by looking at what will enable people to afford basic necessities, rather than protesting.
He questioned the state governments’ use of funds disbursed to States by the federal government following the removal of fuel subsidies. Gololo criticized governors for failing to disclose how these funds were spent and highlighted that local governments are struggling due to a lack of financial support from state governments.
He praised the Attorney General for prosecuting governors over mismanagement, arguing that governors, not the President, are to blame for the country’s current woes.
He noted that the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy would bring significant changes, possibly deterring some governors from seeking re-election in 2027, as it will no longer be business as usual.
Gololo criticized governors who on national televisions, publicly resist federal oversight, questioning how much support they provide to local governments. He called for transparency and accountability from all governors, urging them to disclose their financial dealings.
He blamed governors for hoarding resources meant for public distribution and called on the parliament to investigate their actions. Gololo challenged governors to publicly disclose the amount of subsidy funds they received and how these funds were used.
Regarding proposed protests, Gololo urged citizens to hold governors accountable rather than blaming the President. He cautioned against violent protests, citing the negative outcomes of the Endsars movement.
He cited that Libya was once considered one of the best countries in Africa, but it has since experienced comparable unrest. Today, the question remains whether they enjoy peace. Other nations like Somalia and Sudan have also faced similar challenges, and more recently, Kenya has encountered its own issues.
Protest may not be the best solution at this moment, he noted. The focus should be on how to move forward and address the challenges facing Nigeria.
The priority should be finding ways to rebuild and strengthen the nation where basic needs will be sufficient for all.
In case Protests hold, he advocated for peaceful and organized demonstrations, with protest leaders coordinating with the media to express their grievances.
Gololo also emphasized that the country’s current situation requires constructive solutions rather than protests. He urged the President to prioritize repairing and fixing the country’s refineries, which would help stabilize fuel prices.
He criticized the distribution of palliative measures, suggesting that a transparent and honest committee, independent of government officials, should handle distribution to ensure fairness. He noted that the current distribution of 20 trucks of relief per state is insufficient.
The APC Chieftain, called for immediate action to address the country’s economic challenges and improve governance.
