A section of truckers under the auspices of the National Association of Maritime Transport Operators, has said that they won’t be part of the planned August 1st protest.

A faction of the group stated this in a statement on Saturday signed by Lukman Zangalo.

Recall that some Nigerians have concluded plans to embark on nationwide protests from 1st- 10th August to demand economic and political reforms, and to tackle the rising cost of living.

The aggrieved Nigerians have been mobilizing and organizing on social media and have temporarily adopted the #EndBadGovernance slogan.

Giving an update on the planned protest, Lukman distanced the group from an earlier statement from a faction of the association.

“Our attention has been drawn to a press release by a faction of NAMTOP on their plan to join the national protest on bad governance slated for August 1st to 10th 2024

“We wish to  categorically inform the public that our faction of NAMTOP is not participating in any protest,” Lukman said 

He added that no peaceful protest has ever ended in peace.  

Lukman added that the economy of Lagos and Nigeria in general is yet to recover from the End SARS Protest.

“No peaceful protest has ever ended in peace. The economy of Lagos State and Nigeria is yet to recover from the devastating outcome of #EndSARSPROTEST that started on the template of peaceful protest,” Lukman added.

According to him, as the law-abiding faction of NAMTOP, the group believes in dialogue as a positive tool for dispute resolution. 

“We are committed to bringing solutions to the challenges of maritime trucking operations through a diplomatic manner of approach with the authorities,” he explained.

Lukman stated that presently, NAMTOP does not have a leadership structure, “not to talk of state chairman or president because the leadership tussle of the association is before the Lagos State High Court,”

“The court is yet to pass its judgment in favor of any faction. Therefore, neither of the two factions has the right to parade itself in any capacity before the public as the representative of the association,” he stated.

He urged their members to remain peaceful, and law-abiding, and pursue their business activities without fear.

Lukman charged members to report any suspicious and mischievous moves to the authorities.