All Progressives Congress (APC) Professionals’ Council has called on traditional and religious leaders to speak against the August protests, saying this can help to halt the protest and bring stability in the country.
National Director-Generall, Dr. Seyi Bamigbade, addressing reporters in his office, urged those behind the protest to drop the plans.
According to him, the Federal Government is addressing the challenges. He added reforms carried out will soon yield result.
He said: “I urge our traditional and religious leaders to call on our younger ones who are planning a protest to have a rethink.
“President Bola Tinubu has promised to address the challenges, and I think we must be patient. Approval of N70,000 wage is one of the measures.
“While advocacy and engagement to drop the protest continues, so we will not end up having the type of violence in Kenya here, traditional and religious rulers must save the country from avoidable chaos. “Violence is no solution to the challenges we have, neither is protest a silver bullet.”
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Also, Lagos State Planks and Building Materials Market Association has called on members and Nigerians to shun the protest and give government time to implement its policies.
President, Alhaji Lateef Adelodun, who made the appeal, said: “We should allow the government focus on lifting Nigerians out of hardship and implementing the N70,000 wage. We should also allow it to resolve issues in sectors so life will improve for Nigerians.
“United Nations has warned that some bad actors might hijack the protests, similar to how Ugandan President Museveni cautioned his people against demonstrations. Events in Kenya have not been favourable for citizens. So, we must learn from these.”
Adelodun, however, urged the government to ensure protection of life and property, as well as provide basic needs, such as roads, power, school, and health centres.
He also pleaded with the government to support the association’s collaboration with the Ministry of Environment on tree planting, especially on empowerment through better equipment for tree planting and seed provision. “If we cut one tree, we should be able to plant 10 as replacement,” he noted.