July 26, (THEWILL) – Long-distance road transport owners and operators, whose buses ply various routes across Nigeria have dissociated themselves from the ‘Days of Rage’ nationwide protests planned to commence on Thursday, August 1, 2024. At a press conference in the Utako area of Abuja on Thursday, the transporters under their national umbrella body, the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON), described the planned protests as an ill wind that will blow no good. Briefing the press on ALBON’s position after a meeting in their Abuja office, the association’s leadership led by the President, Mr Nonso Ubajaka, said experience has shown that such protests are usually infiltrated by hoodlums, who use the opportunity to unleash violence.
According to Ubajaka, members reasoned that if held, the protests could lead to loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties. He said the resolution of the members of his association had been conveyed to the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, to whom they made it clear that they would not be a part of the planned protests. The association acknowledged the economic hardship in the country, with Nigerians feeling the impact of rising food prices and high cost of living.
The ALBON leadership, however, urged those planning to protest to rethink and seek more peaceful ways of getting the government to address the problems, including making themselves available for peaceful dialogue. Driving home this poin.
