Jettison Protest In Interest of Peace – DSS Warns Organised Labour
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
The Department of State Services (DSS) has advised the organised labour to shelve its planned protests between 27th and 28th February, 2024 in parts of the country over sundry economic issues.
A statement by the Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Department of State Services, National Headquarters, Abuja, Dr. Peter Afunanya, notes that while the Service recognises such action as the legitimate right of the labour movement, it, however, urges the body jettison the plan in the interest of peace and public order.
The DSS called on parties to pursue dialogue and negotiation rather than engaging in conducts that could heighten tensions, saying that it is aware that some elements are planning to use the opportunity of the protest to foment crisis and by extension, widespread violence, this development, he said, will worsen the socio-economic situation across the country.
According to Dr. Afunanya, it is common knowledge that all levels of Government are striving to ameliorate the prevailing economic condition and as such, should be given a benefit of the doubt.
He said, appropriate authorities should, therefore, be given the chance to handle the challenges at hand as they are working assiduously with a spectrum of stakeholders to fashion out modalities to address the current difficulties.
The DSS spokesperson, encouraged citizens to recognise that what remains unsolved in peace time, would not be attained in war-time and stated that ongoing wars globally is a stark reminder of their catastrophic repercussions on the affected countries’ domestic environments hence, the critical need to protect and maintain internal stability and unity.
Dr. Afunanya cautioned those exploiting the fault lines in the country to have a rethink as resorting to negativities will endanger the country’s peaceful co-existence with dire consequences.
He also implored parents and guardians to exert authority in guiding their children and wards from inimical acts capable of jeopardising public safety and harmony just as he called on all sectors, including political parties, opposition groups, religious and traditional institutions, civil society and non-governmental bodies to eschew violence; demonstrate leadership and statesmanship in these challenging times.
He further noted that making political capital out of the current situation or involving in divisive utterances at a time like this, will be of no benefit to any peace-loving Nigerian and advised citizens to be vigilant and not allow fifth columnists and hostile forces or agents to use them destabilise the peace of the country.
He reiterated that the DSS stands opposed to violence as a means of settling the present-day challenges, be they economic, political or otherwise and will as such work with other sister security and law enforcement agencies to ensure that lasting peace is maintained across the nation.
