The Association of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians (ASNAT) implored members of the association across the country to remain peaceful and law-abiding while avoiding politically motivated protests reportedly organized by activist Omoyele Sowore and his supporters.
It condemned the past flopped protest purportedly sponsored to intimidate the government into releasing IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently being detained, in a press release by its National Coordinator, Comrade Adeshina Akinyemi. Akinyemi further re-stated that ASNAT would not support any activity that would destabilize the nation.
He acknowledged that Nigerians are entitled to peaceful protest, which is constitutionally guaranteed, but maintained that they should not do so at the cost of other people’s rights to live and work freely. He appealed to members to recall the significant role artisans and technicians have in maintaining livelihoods and economic growth and urged them to remain focused on their trade and disregard provocation from “misguided politicians who pose as freedom fighters.”
Akinyemi said further that although the association sympathizes with Kanu and his family, it believes the legal process should run its course.
Reiterating ASNAT’s commitment to peace and national security, he warned against another repeat of the anarchy seen during the #EndSARS protest.
“The memories of our members’ losses and trauma incurred then remain tangible in our minds,” Akinyemi insisted. “We thus implore all artisans and technicians to refrain from taking part in or inciting any protest, be it physically or online. Our focus should instead be on cultivating Nigeria’s development and progress.”
