Forum of state chairmen of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, July 29, told proponents of the proposed August 1, protest to be patient with President Bola Tinubu to fix the economy, insisting that their cry is heard by the government.
The forum called on the organisers of the protest to shelve the proposed action, noting that security reports have shown that the action would be counterproductive.
It also unveiled plans to embark on a nationwide solidarity rally in all the wards of the 774 local government areas of the country in defence of democracy and to showcase the laudable achievements of President Tinubu.
The forum at a press conference by its secretary and Cross River state chairman, Alphonsus Ogar Eba alleged that some unpatriotic persons plan to hijack the protest for the sole purpose of unleashing nefarious agenda to perpetrate violence and indulge in high-level criminality reminiscent of the 2020 Endsars protest and the recent experience in Kenya.
Admitting that protest is a constitutional right, the chairmen said the government and the party would not allow any group to truncate the country’s fledgling democracy.
Read Also: FCT-IRS generates N126.54bn in six months
Appealing for a ceasefire, the chairmen said: “Your voices have been heard and we assure you that Mr President is relentlessly committed to providing the leadership that will take this country out of the current challenges.
“Fellow Nigerians, It is our humble view that this (protest) will worsen our already challenging socio-economic situation and that is why we have decided to join our voices to make this appeal to all Nigerians.”
Warning the youths not to be tools in the hands of some misguided and failed politicians who have hijacked and redirected the initial focus of the planned protest from economic hardship to an unconstitutional change of government.
“While elections have since been concluded and all judicial disputes amicably resolved by the Supreme Court, the attempt by sore losers trying to use this planned protest to achieve their aim is stoutly condemned by us APC Chairmen and must be condemned by all Nigerians across political parties who fought so hard toward the attainment of the democracy we all enjoy today.
“As the ruling party, we are prepared to meet every contestant in 2027 but we will not fold our arms and allow undemocratic forces to topple the Government we worked so hard to elect into office. That will be a disservice to the good people of Nigeria who freely gave us this mandate.
Expressing optimism that efforts by the President and his team will turn the situation around, the chairmen noted: “Despite the challenges of the moment, we are confident and very optimistic that the president’s policy in the areas of the Student loan schemes, the Consumer credit scheme, the minimum wage award by over 133%, the CNG Vehicle conversion policy, the renewed vigour in the war against corruption, insurgency, banditry, crude oil theft, the massive infrastructural projects, the renewed Hope housing project across the country, massive distribution of food and financial supports to all the States across political parties lines as palliatives,
“The creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development to address the persistent farmers and herders clashes, the review of the Privatization policy of previous administrations particularly the reform in the Energy sector, the recent supreme court judgement on Local Government Autonomy, the massive investment in Agriculture and its value chain to guarantee food security, the removal of import taxes on pharmaceuticals and food products, the recent surge in daily crude oil production from 800,000 barrels per day to over 1,600,000 barrels per day are an eloquent testimonial to the effectuation of Mr. Presidents policy and these are wonderful steps in the right direction that will soon reflect positive prospect in the Nigerian economy.
“The commencement of refined petroleum from both Dangote and Port Harcourt refineries will doubtlessly bring a complete turnaround for our current economy woes and Nigeria/ Nigerians will soon have a breath of fresh air again.
“We therefore humbly appeal that a little more patience be shown by all Nigerians even as we urge all our party men and women and Nigerians across political party lines to remain vigilant and work towards maintaining peace, law and order in their respective domain and localities to protect our hard-earned democracy.
“We call on all patriotic Nigerians to resist any attempt by anyone or any group of persons to intimidate them into unorganized protest likely to endanger the peace we currently enjoy as a Nation.
“We call on Patriots to join forces with Security Agencies to report any criminal element who attempts to carry out any act of violence.”
The forum then announced the commencement of a two-week solidarity rally in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to Eba, “in the next two weeks commencing from today 29th July to 11th August 2024 and from this press briefing, which shall follow with a solidarity rally by all structures of our party across all political wards, LGAs and States capital including Abuja FCT, we shall embark on peaceful rally to re-echo the laudable projects and the programs of President Tinubu with greater vigour to protect and defend our democracy from any attack by hoodlums or some criminal elements who wants to carry out violent protest.
“All our party men and concerned Nigerians in other political parties, are enjoined to stand firm in the protection of Democracy. It should be noted that violent protest being contemplated by the faceless group as contained in their charter of demand will annihilate the democratic ideals to which all political parties subscribed.
“This is unacceptable and we must resist it in the most civil manner by sensitizing innocent and peace-loving people of our country about the plans of failed politicians who want to get power through every illegitimate means by inciting ignorant Nigerians to embark on violent protest.”