Threatening Those Planning To Protest Won’t Work – Falana Warns FG

A human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, on Wednesday, cautioned the Federal Government against threatening the organisers of a planned nationwide protest over the harsh economic climate in the country.

Falana noted that the threat would not do the Federal Government any good, adding that it wouldn’t aid the shelving of the protest.

“How do you identify those who are issuing statements; those who are planning the protest, and then engage with them productively?” Falana asked on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.

“But threats do not work. In fact, on some occasions, the desperation of the government also has a way of popularizing such protests.”

Falana tasked the Federal Government to identify the leaders of the planned protest and dialogue with them instead of threats.

“So, this time around the government should try to identify the leaders of the movement and then engage them, and then the questions be raised. There are demands that are being made, and the government should address these demands,” the revered legal practitioner said.

“Between now and the first of August is still a long way and I understand the government is going to address the nation. It is also important for governors to really come out and let the people know what they are doing to address hardship in the country which nobody is denying.”