By Adaeze Onuora
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has called the Ebonyi youths and urged them to shun any form of nationwide protest in the State
While noting the implications that might cause by the nationwide protest, which would lead to destruction of infrastructure and loss of lives if encouraged to take place.
Governor Nwifuru made this known during Ebonyi yourht and Stakeholders meeting at Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki.
In his remarks Governor Nwifuru advised the people of the state to refrain from participating in the protest and assured that his admit was committed to addressing the challenges facing the State and working tirelessly to improve on the lives of the citizens.
He also urged that President Tinubu be given more time to fix the country.
“I am aware of the planned protest against hunger and bad governance scheduled to take place across the country including Ebonyi State. While I understand the reasons and concerns that have led to this call to action, I strongly urge you all to refrain from participating in this protest.
“As your governor, my administration is committed to addressing the challenges we face, and we are working tirelessly to improve the lives of our citizens. However, protests can often lead to unintended consequences, including violence, destruction of property, and disruption of essential services
“I appeal to Nigerians to exercise patience with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration who obviously is making efforts to fix the country and make lives better for the citizens”, Nwifuru stated
While speaking, Works Minister Sen . Nweze David Umahi has enjoins Ndigbo to stay away from planned protest.
Umahi has commend Ebonyi State Governor for stimulating consensus in the decision of Ebonyi people not joining in any protest against president Tinubu's Administration
Speaking during the event Minister Of Works highlighted the strategic developmental programmes of the Renewed Hope administration that would regenerate economy in moment while urged Ndigbo to hold on against protest
“Let me say this, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi does not speak for Ndigbo. Our Governors, Ohaneze Ndigbo and our traditional rulers are our leaders, they speak for us. Let the enemies of Ndigbo hear it and hear it clearly, our Governors and Ohaneze Ndigbo are the mouthpiece of Ndigbo.
“Let nobody take the comment of one person and begin to malign us. We are very peaceful people. We will continue to support Mr. President. My advice to our brother is to have a rethink, so as not to incite some of the uninformed youths against the rule of law and endanger the peace of the nation.
Governor Umahi said, “whenever there is protest, the economy of such nation goes down. The EndSars protest did not generate anything but the people gathered and interacted with the government and issues raised were addressed.
“Protest does not yield anything. It is when you make your grievances known that it will be addressed and let me say it that President Bola Tinubu is addressing all the grievances of the youths and the people.
Other leaders of Ebonyi State who spoke against the planned protest includes, the Former Senate President, Sen Anyim Pius, former Governor of the State, Chief Martin Elechi, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and that of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, the traditional rulers and the Student Union Government bodies in the State.
