The Labour Party’s 2023 Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, have shared their perspectives on the planned protests against hardship in Nigeria, set to begin on August 1st.
During a press briefing held after a breakfast meeting at Otti’s country home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA on Sunday, both leaders stressed the importance of conducting protests within the confines of the law.
Governor Otti voiced concerns about the potential for the protests to be hijacked by unpatriotic elements, which could exacerbate existing problems.
“We have seen protests hijacked. My fears are that this one will also be hijacked,” he remarked. He advised the people of Abia to avoid joining the protests, suggesting that they could end up being more harmful than beneficial.
“Even when you write a letter it is a protest. You can sit down and write a letter of protest, you can call somebody and register your displeasure about what he is doing or how he is running the government. They are all protests and are allowed. But when you now go outside the law and begin to unleash mayhem and violence that is where it is not acceptable,” Otti explained.
The governor emphasized the importance of respecting the freedoms of those not participating in the protests.
He acknowledged the widespread hunger and economic hardship caused by years of bad governance and stressed the need for Nigeria to shift towards a productive economy that relies less on imports.
Peter Obi, echoing Otti’s sentiments, attributed the planned protests to widespread hunger and hopelessness among Nigerians.
“On the issue of protest, within the Nigerian constitutions, protest is allowed. All I plead for is for those who are protesting to do so within the law and in a civil manner that allows us as a nation to show that we live within the law,” Obi said.
Obi also highlighted the root causes of the unrest, stating, “Everybody knows that things are difficult and I always say that when they talk about the sponsors of protest, the sponsors are very simple, it is hunger, it is hopelessness among the youths. So, we all have to listen to what Nigerians are going through and I thank our Governor for doing so. It is critical and important.”
He called on security agencies to ensure the protests are managed lawfully and urged the government to engage with the protesters to address their grievances through dialogue.