The Director-General of the Defunct All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council and former governor of Plateau State, Senator Simon Bako Lalong, has appealed to Nigerians, particularly the youths, to shelve the planned protest over economic hardship.
Senator Lalong, in a statement signed on behalf of members of the Council, expressed the concern of Nigerians over economic hardship arising from some policies of the Tinubu Administration in addressing long-standing issues that have held down national progress for decades.
The Senator representing Plateau South acknowledged and respected the constitutionally guaranteed democratic rights of Nigerians to freely and peacefully ventilate against any policy of the government but advised that this is not the right time for such protests because, just over a year into the life of this administration, the time is too short to conclude on its performance.
“Moreover, most of the challenges were inherited, and the new policy initiatives to tackle them are on course. As members of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council, we are very conversant with the campaign promises made during the electioneering period as encapsulated in the Renewed Hope manifesto of the APC.
“As acknowledged severally before, during, and after the campaigns, addressing some of these difficult issues, such as the inefficient and corrupt subsidy regime; insecurity; corruption; infrastructure deficit; hunger; and forex management, among others, will require bold decisions, which will definitely come with some pains.
“In addition, carrying out such reforms will also require sacrifices by all Nigerians, as there is a gestation period for the people to feel the positive impact.”
Senator Lalong, who is also the senator representing Plateau South, stated that the president has already demonstrated the political will to lead by example and carry out the reforms that will give Nigerians the renewed hope promised during the campaigns.
“While the changes introduced have caused some hardship on Nigerians at all levels, it is noteworthy that the Tinubu Administration has also put in place ongoing measures to cushion the hardship through the period of transformation.”.
He therefore appealed to Nigerians at large and the youths in particular to give Mr. President the chance to deliver on his mandate by being a bit more patient and shelving the proposed protests, which may end up being counterproductive.
Senator Lalong further emphasised that Nigerians still vividly recall the losses recorded during the #endsars protests, which were hijacked by hoodlums, leading to the loss of lives and destruction of properties.
He added that, to date, many states, businesses, families, and Nigerians have yet to recover from the huge losses recorded.
“We cannot afford to put our economy, infrastructure, and nation in another danger, which will definitely take the nation many years back in development and scuttle the envisaged gains of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu Government.
“This is the time to rally around the government, offer constructive criticism and ideas, and exercise more patience and understanding that will facilitate the rebirth of the Nigeria we all yearn for,” he said.
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