Arik Karani, President of The African Public Relations Association (APRA), has expressed unequivocal solidarity with the government and people of Nigeria as the protests in response to rising living costs enter their second day. APRA calls for sincere and continuous dialogue to ensure a speedy resolution of the issues that sparked the protests.
Protests and advocacies for improved social conditions are fundamental civil liberties and central to democratic practice. Democracy cannot thrive without the guarantee of these liberties. APRA commends the Nigerian government for its expressed guarantee and acceptance of citizens’ right to protest and the measures it has taken to prevent the escalation of the crisis.
However, APRA is deeply concerned about reports of deaths – including those of citizens and security personnel – injuries, looting of business assets, theft of equipment, and the vandalism of public utilities, including telecommunication infrastructure and food processing companies. APRA condemns the unjustifiable deaths and the destruction and arson that have occurred since the protests began.
APRA calls on all actors – state and non-state – to cease hostilities and outrage. Instead, APRA advocates for continuous dialogue and sincere conversations to ensure quick and concrete resolutions of the issues. APRA urges the Nigerian government, including subnational entities, to work with all stakeholders to restore normalcy to the nation. Nigeria is central to Africa’s vision for progress and development.
APRA shares in the grief of families who have lost loved ones in the ongoing crisis and prays for the repose of the souls of the departed. APRA wishes those recuperating from injuries a speedy and complete recovery and hopes that institutions and individuals who have lost properties will be supported to recover quickly and resume their contributions to the Nigerian economy.
