The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has stated that traditional rulers in Nigeria support the right to peaceful protests, including the upcoming #EndBadGovernance demonstrations.
During a television appearance on Tuesday, Ogunwusi emphasized that Nigerians have the fundamental right to protest against issues like hunger, poor governance, and economic hardship.
He highlighted that even President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged this right, underscoring the importance of peaceful expression and assembly.
“We traditional rulers have never said that people shouldn’t go to the streets to demonstrate; it is their right,” Ogunwusi stated.
He added that he, alongside the Sultan as co-chair of the National Traditional Rulers Council, recently met with President Tinubu to discuss the nation’s challenges.
Ogunwusi acknowledged that while there is significant suffering in Nigeria, the issue is part of a broader global phenomenon of inflation and economic challenges.
“What we traditional rulers are after is do not let us destroy our country and ourselves,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to prioritize patriotism and work towards constructive solutions, rather than resorting to violence and vandalism.
Highlighting his efforts in his community of Ife, Ogunwusi shared an initiative where he intervened to break the ranks of middlemen and associations, resulting in a significant drop in market prices.
“You will not believe that prices in the market crashed more than 30 percent within a day,” he revealed, noting that such local efforts can have a substantial impact.
Ogunwusi also criticized the elite for being disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
He questioned where the children of those advocating for protests are educated, implying that many are sent abroad or to private schools, away from the struggles faced by the average Nigerian.
