Protests: We don’t know what Nigerians want – Gov Uzodimma

The Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma, has said that it is not clear what those supporting the forthcoming nationwide protests are protesting for.

Uzodimma also appealed to Nigerians to shelve the planned nationwide protest against President Bola Tinubu-led government slated for August 1 to August 10.

The governor made the appeal after a closed-door meeting with the governors in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to him, it was unwise at this moment in the country for any demonstration by any group.

Uzodimma said people were supporting or instigating groups of people to protest, adding “we don’t know what they are protesting for.’’

“We think it is not wise at this moment for any demonstration by any group of persons be it in whatever guise. This is so that we can manage the challenge of insecurity, the challenge of national minimum wage, the challenge of food security and then the struggle to come out of the current economic recession. We are using this opportunity to also advise our young boys and girls to desist from being instigated into causing crisis or chaos in the country.

“Already, Nigerians have suffered a lot; the global economic recession, the insecurity in Nigeria, the political tension occasioned by instigations and campaign of calumny by opposition parties, the social media attacks on various policies of the government. We want to advise for the interest of the country and as a show of patriotism, our citizens must take ownership of this country because we have no other country we can call our own outside Nigeria”

Uzodimma urged Nigerians to be patient with the government, noting that efforts were underway to ameliorate the economic hardship experienced in the country.