Jonathan Nwokpor
The governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, and Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate for president in the 2023 election, have voiced their opinions over the anticipated hardship protests by Nigerians starting on August 1.
Such protests must be conducted within the bounds of the law, according to the two leaders who spoke to the media following a breakfast meeting on Sunday at Otti’s country residence in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA.
Governor Otti stated, “We have seen protests hijacked. My fears are that this one will also be hijacked,” while expressing concern that anti-patriotic individuals may use protests to cause more issues than they were intended to solve. I worry that it will be taken over as well.
He told the people of Abia not to participate in the protests because, in his opinion, it may turn out to be more hurtful than the reasons for the protests people are calling for.
“Even when you write a letter it is a protest. You can sit down and write a letter of protest, you can call somebody and register your displeasure about what he is doing or how he is running the government. They are all protests and are allowed. But when you now go outside the law and begin to unleash mayhem and violence that is where it is not acceptable”.
Governor Otti clarified that it would be illegal to deny someone the right to their freedom who is not participating in the demonstration.
Although the governor of Abia acknowledged that the country’s hunger is a result of a weak economy, he lamented the fact that Nigerians are currently bearing the brunt of decades-old poor administration.
Nigeria must make the shift to a productive economy and import less of the goods we use, according to Governor Otti.
According to Mr. Peter Obi, Nigerians’ hunger and despair are what led to the planned protest. “On the issue of protest, within the Nigerian constitutions, protest is allowed. All I plead for is for those who are protesting to do so within the law and in a civil manner that allows us as a nation to show that we live within the law”.
“Everybody knows that things are difficult and I always say that when they talk about the sponsors of protest, the sponsors are very simple, it is hunger, it is hopelessness among the youths. So, we all have to listen to what Nigerians are going through and I thank our Governor for doing so. It is critical and important”, Mr Obi asserted.
Mr. Obi urged the government to interact and have a conversation with the protesters in order to address the reasons for the protests, and he called on the security agencies to make sure that they handle the protests within the law.
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