Piqued by the insensitivity of the federal government in handling the growing agitations across the country, an evangelist, Benjamin Lekia Kponsu has frowned at government’s approach in addressing the issue.
The Ogoni-born evangelist who bared his mind while fielding questions from our reporter on Monday, urged government to be less combative on agitators as according to him, Nigerians should be allowed to express their fundamental rights as citizens.
Arguing that the situation required workable solutions, Kponsu advised the federal government not to deemphasize efforts to quench the voices of reason but rather engage the agitators in mutual dialogue.
“Trying to quench or stop the voices of the people rather than looking for ways to abate the agitations is a wrong approach and would not yield any positive result.
“You must know that when people feel unsafe, insecure or in a tight corner, it is just natural to desire to go somewhere else where they would be comfortable. You cannot put someone in a box and expect that person not to react and desire freedom”, he submitted.
The evangelist said government should be blamed for the current discomfort being experience in the country, as according to him, “You cannot force a crying child to stop without finding out why he is crying in the first place”.
“Dealing with the cause rather than trying to suppress it is the best way to go and move Nigeria forward”, he stated.
According to him, leadership is the ability to dialogue, influence and carry the people along in all ramifications, adding that politicians are elected into positions of leadership to take the people higher and not to hurt them.
