Coleman addressing the press on behalf of Michael Johnny during the rally.
* Says Tinubu will respond to demands
By Jimmy Lace, Warri
As the “Endbadgovernance” protests enters day three, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress APC in Delta State, Chief Michael Johnny has appealed to Nigeria youths and organizers to suspend the nationwide demonstration and allow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to act on the demands already put forward by the protesters.
Johnny, the Agadiwei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, made the appeal on Saturday 3rd August , 2024, through the Johnny Support Group (JSG) which held a rally tagged “Let There Be Peace” in Effurun, Delta State.
Mr. Timi Coleman, who led the peaceful rally, said Johnny being a Peace Ambassador acknowledges the excruciating hardship faced by Nigerians, but called for a dialogue between protesters and federal government.
Johnny noted that the timing for the protest could have devastating effects on the economy and causing more hardship for the poor and downtrodden.
“ The demands for accountability, good governance and better society put forward by organizers and protesters are genuine and very important. Every citizen of the Nation, particularly the downtrodden, irrespective of religion or political affiliations are bearing or feeling the excruciating impact of inflation, high cost of living and hardship”
The former Chairman of Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation EGCDF, pointed that, “ The insecurity, banditry and farmers-herdsmen disputes in North and some parts of the country were largely responsible for shortage and high cost of farm produce”
According to him, “ President Tinubu needs the support of all Nigerians to tackle the ugly menace that is threatening the survival of Nigerians. While, I strongly support the demands for good governance and better society for all Nigerians, we should also put into consideration the timing for the protests, and the fact that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has barely spent one year in office.
“ It is true that President Tinubu in the last one year, has initiated and implemented some positive policies already yielding results. All Nigerians knows that President Tinubu inherited a bad economy resulting to the present inflation, hardship and hunger”
He continued, “ The inherited problems are enormous and President Tinubu will need more or sufficient time to upturn the ugly situations. Let me appeal to Nigerians on the streets to suspend the nationwide demonstration, and if the protest must continue they not destroy Government or private properties”
“ Since Thursday 1st August, when the nationwide protests began, souls have been lost, some sustained injuries, Police have made arrest, properties worth Billions of naira may have been destroyed, even as State Government had declared curfew to curtail the situation. At this point, President Tinubu should speak to Nigerians and address the Nation, as the President clearly understands what Nigerians are going through and he is determined to providing solutions”
Ijaw APC leader in Delta State further stated, “More so, public office holders and appointees of the Federal Government must desist from using threat and inflammatory statements against the protesters as such will only worsen or provoke the protesters. The demands presented by the protesters are well known and received by President Tinubu. The President will act accordingly”
Johnny said the protests should not add to the sufferings already being experienced by downtrodden or poor Nigerians.
“ As a party man, I believe that President Tinubu means well for Nigeria. He needs a little time to fix the issues. I will advise President Tinubu to pay more attention to getting the PH and Warri Refineries to work and start producing refined products, because when the prices of fuel and diesel comes down, it will significantly drops the inflation on commodities and farm produce”
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