Civil society ready for dialogue, Okunniyi tells Tinubu

By Adekunle Williams

The United Action Front of Civil Society (UAFCS) says the organised civil society is ready for dialogue with the Federal Government on the ongoing nationwide protest and the challenges in the country.

Mr Olawale Okunniyi, Head, Coordinating Secretariat of UAFCS, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday.

He stated that civil society groups would honour the government’s invitation for talks on addressing citizens’ concerns.

President Tinubu in his broadcast on Sunday called for the suspension of all protests to create room for dialogue.

Tinubu reiterated his government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of citizens.

The protest, which started on Thursday, crippled socio-economic activities across the states.

Reacting to the president’s broadcast, Okunniyi said that organised civil society had always been open to dialogue, which he described as an important tool of conflict resolution.

“The organised civil society is open to dialogue and we will respond to dialogue if we are invited by the president.

“We have never refused dialogue because it is an avenue to discuss issues and find ways to resolve the issues and challenges in the country.

“This is because we know that what will prevail is superior opinion or argument,” Okunniyi said.