A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Ifeanyi Araraume, has appealed to stakeholders to collaborate towards the preservation of national interest while weighing the protest option.
Araraume said that the government was committed to resolving the issues causing hardship for the populace and urged Nigerians to remain patient and exercise restraint.
He was speaking against the backdrop of the nationwide protests being planned for Aug. 1 to Aug.10, in a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
Araraume said that it was important harmony, unity and peace be allowed to prevail.
He highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government to develop policies and implement strategies aimed at addressing public concerns and delivering tangible improvements.
Araraume commended the recent decision of President Bola Tinubu for approving the sale of crude oil to Dangote refinery and other legitimate local refineries in Naira.
He said that such measures should be recognised as part of a broader initiat
ive by the administration to address the country’s economic issues effectively.
Araraume added that another move was the President’s move to suspend import tariffs and taxes on essential food items.
He said that this action demonstrated the administration’s commitment to making life more affordable for the people as well as addressing the citizens’ agitations.
‘Since government is already taking steps toward addressing the public concerns, embarking on public space protests becomes needless.
‘Protests will have been well advised had the government ignored reports about planned nationwide anti-economic hardship protests.’
He, however, said that any protest should be guided by national interest and guarded against economic sabotage and hijack by unscrupulous elements and hoodlums.
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‘Our unity must be preserved; our harmony must be strengthened while our economy must be bolstered.
He said those organising the protest should allow org
anized bodies and existing government institutions like Labour bodies, National Assembly, traditional rulers, religious leaders, non-state actors to engage with government on their behalf.
According to him, the citizens are free to engage with their government on issues that affect them. Their resort to public space protests underscores the depth of their dissatisfaction with the state of affairs.
‘On the other hand, the fact that government has taken a number of steps to avert the protests is a clear indication that the government is well apprised of the pains, the complaints and the angst of the citizens.
‘I believe genuine steps are being taken to address the contending issues that have made the economic condition difficult for the vast majority of Nigerians,’ he said.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria