Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and his Imo State counterpart Hope Uzodimma have appealed to the youths to abandon the planned nationwide anti-hunger protest.
The governors made their appeals during separate meetings on Wednesday, emphasizing the potential negative consequences of such actions.
Governor Abiodun, speaking at a meeting with a coalition of youth organizations at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, referenced the destructive outcomes of the 2020 EndSARS protests. He urged the youth to seek dialogue instead of protests. “You have no other country than this. Protests that turn violent do not solve problems,” Abiodun stated, drawing on a Yoruba proverb, “beheading is not the solution to a headache.”
In a similar vein, Governor Uzodimma, who also chairs the Progressives Governors’ Forum, highlighted the risks of protests being hijacked by criminal elements, as seen during the EndSARS protests. After meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Uzodimma spoke to State House correspondents, cautioning against protests that could destabilize the nation further. “Protesting at this time could worsen the economic hardships,” he warned, questioning the clarity and objectives of the planned protests.
In Bauchi State, the government has firmly stated that the protest will not be allowed. Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Kashim, at a press conference at the Government House, warned potential protesters to reconsider, stating, “Bauchi is not aware of it, and it’s not going to happen in Bauchi State.”
Additionally, the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has called on the organizers of the planned protest to give the Federal Government more time to implement its economic policies. In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, the Oba emphasized that the current hardships are temporary and necessary for future improvements. “For things to get better, it has to be tough for a while,” he appealed.
These leaders collectively urge the youth to opt for dialogue and patience, assuring that the government is working on measures to alleviate the economic challenges facing the nation.
