Leaders in the South West region under the auspices of Yoruba Leaders of Thought have declared total opposition to the planned nationwide protest scheduled to start August 1.
The leaders argued that the protest is likely to be violent, adding that the country is not willing to witness a repeat of the attendant effect of the ENDSARs protest in the country.
They said that though Nigerians have inalienable constitutional rights to demonstrate but embarking on protest would not solve the hungers in the country.
Addressing journalist in Ado-Ekiti, the National Leader, Elder Tajudeen Olusi said President Bola Tinubu and the state governors were aware of the economic hardship and bold steps are being taken to salvage the situation.
The elder statesman represented by the National Secretary, Bayo Aina appealed to Nigerians, most especially the people of the Southwest to shun the protest as it was a ploy by disgruntled elements to destabilize Bola Tinubu’s administration for personal gains.
Olusi asserted that the planned protest from strong indications appears to have political motivations rather than genuine concern for the public interest, thereby should be discountenance in the nation’s interest.
According to him, “We have total aversion for a protest that will last ten days. It is abnormal. We are not opposed to a protest but a protest that will last long will degenerate to an unanticipated and undesirable outcome and we don’t want it. We urged people to go about their lawful duties without fear of molestation.
“The Federal Government and the state governors are aware that there is hunger in the country and they are taking steps to address the economic hardship in the land through implementation of people-oriented policies.
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“We believe that the steps being taken by the federal government with time would begin to yield results.The borders for the people to import foods without paying tariffs. So the issue of hunger is being addressed.
“Protest is not the solution to the hunger and economic hardship in the country. It will only be counterproductive because there’s no way you can disrupt social and economic activities that would not lead to violence, more so when the organisers were being sponsored.
“I appeal to Nigerians, most especially the Southwest youths to shun the protest laced with ulterior motives and allow President Bola Tinubu to fully interpret his vision and implement the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
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