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By Oriola Afolabi
A Stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, APC and former Commissioner of Works in Ekiti State, Chief Dele Okeya has appealed to Nigerian youths and the organizers of the planned nationwide anti-Government protest, to shelve it.
Chief Okeya said that rather than take to the streets, the planned protest’s organisers should join President Bola Tinubu to reposition Nigeria’s economy.
The Ekiti APC chieftain, who made the appeal while speaking with Radio Nigeria Progress FM in Ado Ekiti, pointed out that the present situation in the country, especially in areas of security and economy, required concerted efforts.
He said that the planned protest would not in any way bring about meaningful changes but rather provide an opportunity for hoodlums to unleash terror on law-abiding citizens, thereby destroying some of the facilities as well as public infrastructures provided by the government with the taxpayers’ money.
Chief Okeya, who explained that President Tinubu came at a time when the Nigeria economy was bleeding and on the verge of total collapse, expressed confidence that Nigeria would soon recover from the present economic woes.
Chief Okeya while noting that the youths had a constitutional to protest, however, appealed to the organizers and the public, to be patient and give the barely one-year-old Tinubu’s administration, more time to implement its economic policies and the Renewed Hope Agenda which he promised would bring succor to Nigerians.
The APC chieftain also enjoined royal fathers, traditional chiefs and other stakeholders in Ekiti to continue to support Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration for accelerated development and not to engage in any act that could bring setbacks to the state.
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Vera G Michael says:
“While Chief Dele Okeya’s appeal to shelve the planned nationwide anti-Government protest may come from a place of concern for Nigeria’s stability, it’s essential to acknowledge the frustrations and grievances that led to the call for protests in the first place. The economic and security challenges facing the country are real and pressing, and Nigerians, especially the youths, have a constitutional right to express their discontent and demand change.
Rather than dismissing the protests outright, it would be more constructive to engage in dialogue with the organizers and address the underlying issues driving the protests. President Tinubu’s administration should be open to feedback and work collaboratively to find solutions that benefit all Nigerians.
Moreover, it’s crucial to recognize that protests can be a catalyst for meaningful change, as seen throughout history. Instead of fearing the potential for hoodlums to hijack the protests, efforts should focus on ensuring peaceful and responsible demonstrations that allow Nigerians to exercise their rights while maintaining public safety.
Giving the administration more time to implement its policies is reasonable, but it’s equally important to hold them accountable for their promises and actions. The Ekiti APC chieftain’s appeal for patience should be balanced with a commitment to tangible progress and transparency from the government.”