Students’ body NANS rejects June 12 protest

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Friday rejected the planned nationwide June 12 protest slated for Saturday.

The #June12 hashtag for the protest has gained momentum online after it was linked with #BuhariMustGo following the ban on Twitter operations in Nigeria.

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But NANS in Ogun State said the protest is being sponsored by some people who it said are hellbent in disrupting the peace of the nation and urged youths to shun the protest.

Addressing journalists at the NUJ Secretariat, Abeokuta, the Ogun State Chairman of NANS, Damilola Simeon, said the students’ body would never be in support of any protest that would put the nation in jeopardy.

Simeon said, with June 12, “we must continue to appreciate the efforts of the founding fathers of Nigeria’s democracy, especially late MKO Abiola, the father of Nigeria’s modern democracy, who fought and even laid down his life for Nigerians to have the democracy we are now all enjoying.”

According to him, June 12 carries heavy symbolism for a country that is known for more years of military rule than democracy.

“We want to state unequivocally, that we will not be part of any protest or ploy by anybody or group of individuals to disrupt the relative peace Nigerians are enjoying, neither would we join any protest which aim is to cause the disintegration of Nigeria.

“As much as we are against the Federal government and President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration and its refusal to finding lasting solutions to the myriads of problems confronting the country, we will not join in any protest or move that will further put Nigeria into destruction.

“We are not anarchists and we are not going to join in anything that will put the efforts of the founding fathers of Nigeria and those that fought for the unity and democracy of Nigeria in jeopardy.

“The glory of June 12 must not be rubbished by those inviting anarchy through the planned protest. The sacrifices of our founding fathers must not be compensated with rebellious act against the country. We believe Nigeria will survive the current turmoils anarchy is not the way to go.”