The Progressive Governors Forum, a segment of the All Progressives Congress, has requested Nigerians to defer the upcoming protest against President Bola Tinubu’s government, scheduled from August 1 to August 10. This appeal was announced by the Forum’s Chairman, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, following a meeting with governors in Abuja.
Uzodimma stated that the present time is not suitable for protests, pointing out issues like insecurity, the national minimum wage, food security, and economic downturn as reasons.
He stated, “We think it is not wise at this moment for any demonstration by any group of persons be it in whatever guise.
“This is so that we can manage the challenge of insecurity, the challenge of national minimum wage, the challenge of food security and then the struggle to come out of the current economic recession.
“We are using this opportunity to also advise our young boys and girls to desist from being instigated into causing crisis or chaos in the country.
“Already, Nigerians have suffered a lot; the global economic recession, the insecurity in Nigeria, the political tension occasioned by instigations and campaign of calumny by opposition parties, the social media attacks on various policies of government.
“We want to advise for the interest of the country and as a show of patriotism, our citizens must take ownership of this country because we have no other country we can call our own outside Nigeria”
“We invite all of them to sit down with us in a room so we can discuss and agree on the issues, what they are and proffer solutions.
“We as a body, we are committed to the unity of the country, we are committed to whatever thing that makes Nigerians live better lives, bring prosperity, jobs to be created for young boys and girls who graduated, to be employed.”
Uzodimma reiterated the progressives’ backing for President Tinubu and his initiatives, particularly economic changes.
He called on Nigerians to remain patient with the administration as steps are being taken to ease economic challenges.
