The National Chairman and Convener of Renewed Hope Agenda The Way Forward (RHATWF), Hon Sam Atasia-Oburu has called on Nigerians to consider jettisoning the planned nationwide protest billed for August 1, 2024 as the President Bola Tinubu’s led administration has already taken serious steps towards addressing the needs that necessitated it.
Addressing newsmen in his office at Abuja, Hon. Oburu who is also Acting National Chairman College of Former State Chairmen Media and Publicity Committee APC Presidential Campaign Council ; noted that Nigerians desiring protest as a way to convey their displeasure over the heightened economic hardship occasioned by the economic policies of the federal government are well on their rights but should now consider discontinuing the protest owing to the reactions of government to the yearnings of the would be protesters and Nigerians at large.
“I believe that every Nigerian has the right to make demands of government when its policies and programmes may be making life a little more difficult than anticipated and peaceful protest is one of such ways to publicly express such displeasure. However, when the government has taken responsibility for its actions and has become responsive , the people must naturally withdraw from their earlier decision”, he noted.
His statement was informed by the recent developments in the nation as major poverty alleviating policies has in the last few days been taken by the Federal Government in a bid to meet public demands.
According to him, ” we clearly see today the concrete steps such as the immediate implementation of the National Minimum Wage for all tiers of government , Local Government Autonomy which further places the development of the grassroots in the hands of the citizens themselves, the recent Executive Order directing the NNPC to supply Crude Oil to Nigeria refineries in local currency, the National Educational loan fund aimed at making education accessible for all. The Youth Internship Scheme for Niger Delta Youths and the most recent approval of ₦50,000 monthly stipends for 10,000 Niger Delta Youths, etc, proving that government is willing to meet the demands of Nigerians, therefore I think the protest should be put off in the best interest of the Nation”.
Hon Oburu who is from the Niger Delta region used the opportunity to commended the NDDC Board led by Hon Chinedu Ebie and the MD /CEO Dr. Sam Ogbuku for the timely move of arresting poverty in the region by empowering the Youths of the region through the Internship scheme launched by the Senate President Sen Godswill Akpabio; saying this will go a long way in solving the immediate needs of the Youths .
Hon Atasia-Oburu also the National Publicity Secretary of AATSG Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu Support Group expressed fears that the protest , if it goes on may be hijacked by unscrupulous elements and the detractors of government and might result in uncontrollable anarchy. He pleaded for dialogue as the best option .
“At this point, looking at the unpalatable history of protests in Nigeria, I am afraid that this coming protest maybe hijacked by people with evil intentions and it may snowball to anarchy and wanton destruction of lives and property so I beg us to sheath our swords and seek dialogue to achieve the remaining demands yet to be met”, he advised.
“Those who are concerned about the future of this country Nigeria will not take steps to lead the Nation into flames that is why respected National groups and organisations like the NLC, NANS, Arewa Youths, Niger Delta Youths, IYC, Afenifere Youths and lots more have all withdrawn from the planned protest which is clearly a grenade with the pin off”,
He concluded that it took 300 years to build Rome and it was destroyed in just 3 days ; dialogue is the best way forward.
