Explain Why You Want To Protest – Uzodimma Tells Nigerians

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has expressed disappointment that the organizers of the nationwide protest have not yet made a public statement explaining their reasons for wanting to participate in street protests.

Naija News reports that Nigerians, particularly the youths, have proposed to engage in a nationwide protest against the ongoing economic hardships under the incumbent administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

However, Uzodinma said it was too early for such an event to happen under the current administration, urging the individuals involved to postpone their plans.

Uzodinma, who addressed reporters at the State House after introducing former Senate President Pius Anyim to President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, mentioned that the governors from the Southeast region are opposed to the demonstration due to concerns over potential disruptions.

He said, “Democracy is about the opinion of the people and protest is allowed in a democratic setting. Every protest must be reasonably conceived to be able to make political sense. I think it’s too early at this time in the life of this government for anybody to come out to say he wants to protest.

“First of all, there has not been any engagement where those who are sponsoring the protest were able to tell us the reasons for the protests. Secondly, given the global situation today and the insecurity in the country, we have a very fragile political environment that, if not managed and protected very well, may collapse the entire country.

“So those who are going to protest, what is the reason for the protests, and if they have no reason for the protests, I think our advise as well-meaning Nigerians, is for them to shelve it.”

He also argued that it was not the right moment for anyone to voice their dissent, as the consequence of such actions, if not handled properly, could lead to it being taken over by criminals.

“So this is another kind of temptation? I think those behind the protests have not been able to come out openly to say they’re behind it; there is a motive that is yet to be unravelled.

“So I think that we are not in support of the protest; we are not going to support any protest that has no programme, that is not discussed, that nobody knows what the problem is. Okay, if you are protesting, what do you want the government to do? Because the reason for protests is that they want an issue to be addressed. What are the issues?

“So, in my view, I think there is no need to overheat the polity, overheat our environment and put our people in a position where the hardship that is occasioned by economic recession all over the world is further worsened. So I advise against the protests,” he said.