Hope Uzodimma, Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, stated on Wednesday that the administration does not support the planned nationwide protests in August, claiming that they are taking place at the inappropriate moment.
The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to put their preparations for a nationwide protest on hold while practical efforts are taken to improve the country’s economic predicament.
Briefing State House media on Wednesday following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Uzodimma restated the government’s position and encouraged Nigerians to defend the country’s stability and avoid activities that could exacerbate economic problems.
“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 have not been any engagements where those who are sponsoring the protest were able to tell us the reasons for the protests,” he stated.
The governor cited the #EndSARS movement of 2020, emphasising the fragile political environment and warning about the potential for hijack by criminals.
“There is something that is the motive that is yet to be unravelled. So, I think that we are not in support of the protests. We are not going to support any protest that
“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.”