A former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has backed the upcoming nationwide protest planned for August 1-10, 2024 urging the federal and state governments to handle the situation with civility and empathy.

In a statement titled “My Position on the Nationwide Protest of our Young Citizens,” and posted on X on Thursday, Ezekwesili highlighted the distress being experienced by many Nigerians, particularly the youth, due to severe economic hardships.

“All reasonable people know that the majority of our citizens—especially the young ones—are distressed on many counts, from biting economic hardship that is prevalent in the country today. They blame it on bad governance and are therefore demanding an end to it,” she stated.

She criticised the reactions of politicians, public officials, and their allies, which she described as undemocratic and lacking empathy.

She pointed out that news of the planned protests has already caused agitation among government officials.

“I hope the Federal Government and its allies can quickly and wisely cease from threatening those among our citizens who wish to exercise their constitutional right of expression, association, and movement through a nationwide protest,” she urged.

The Bring Back Our Girls Convener called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and state governors to seize the opportunity presented by the protests to engage with the dissatisfied youths.