Protests will hurt economy, says ex-Senate leader

A former Senate Leader and governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Teslim Folarin, on Sunday, appealed to Nigerians to shelve their planned protests, saying “it will multiply our pains and hurt our economy.”

Folarin, in a statement signed and made available to PUNCH Online in Ibadan, the state capital, said the protests would only worsen the pains of Nigerians and further damage the country’s economy.

He said while the right to protest is enshrined in the Nigerian constitution, the proposed “Days of Rage” and “#EndBadGovernance” protests were likely to be hijacked by miscreants, turning them into another “#EndSARS” situation.

Folarin said, “No responsible government would want its citizens to suffer, and I dare say, that no government would fold its hands while the citizens’ livelihood and survival are being undermined.”

The former Senate Leader expressed concerns that the protests would hurt economic activities, send a negative signal about Nigeria’s democratic stability, and impact investors’ confidence.

He also warned that terrorists and criminal elements could take advantage of the protests to cause mayhem and destabilize the country.

He added, “There is no denying the fact that Nigerian masses are currently undergoing economic hardship due to economic reforms being undertaken by the government. The government has been honest in admitting the hardship. The government has also assured that what Nigerians are currently going through is the pain that precedes the relief.

“As a stakeholder in our body polity, I have significant doubts that the planned nationwide protest would achieve any tangible. The reason is simple– the proposed nationwide protest tagged #DaysofRage, #EndBadGovernance and others, is being championed by yet-to-be-identified individuals and/or civil society organisations. Besides, security agencies have informed of credible intelligence of plans to hijack the protests.

“Let me make it crystal clear, that the right to protest is enshrined in the Nigerian constitution and is a fundamental aspect of democracy, underscoring the public’s right to express discontent with government policies and actions. But can the country gamble on the protest not being hijacked by miscreants, thereby turning it into another #EndSARS?

“Replicating Kenya’s Gen Z protests in Nigeria is an ill wind that will blow Nigeria and Nigerians no good.

“My other area of concern is that the planned nationwide protest is already hurting economic activities. There is already panic buying and selling.”