Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, and the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 Presidential Election,Mr Peter Obi have expressed their views on the impending hardship protests set to begin on August 1st across Nigeria.
The two Political Leaders who spoke to a Journalists at the Country Home of Governor Otti at Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, highlighted the constitutionally guaranteed right of citizens to peaceful protest but cautioned against potential disruptions.
Governor Otti emphasized the importance of conducting protests within legal boundaries but expressed worry that the protests might be hijacked.
“Protests are allowed once they are done within the ambits of the law. But the real challenge is who can ensure or assure us that it will be done within the ambits of the law.
“We have seen protests hijacked. My fears are that this one will also be hijacked”, Otti stated.
Governor Otti further highlighted the economic hardships faced by Nigerians, and attributed them to leadership failures and economic mismanagement by past leaders.
“It would be very, very unfair to say that things are not difficult now. Things are very difficult. Hunger is real and that is true. But how do you solve the problem?.
“The problem we found ourselves in the country is economic and we are actually paying the price for bad governance that didn’t start today.
“So, there are very, very few options left than this difficulty that we are going through. If we are patient and go through it, then after that, I believe the economy will reverse and things will begin to look better”,Otti noted.
He emphasized the need for Nigeria to transition to a productive economy and reduce it’s reliance on importation and also explained that transiting to a productive economy cannot be achieved overnight
The Governor who warned of potential negative outcomes, advised Abia residents to avoid joining the protests.
He explained that those not involved in the protest are also entitled to their freedom as it will be against the law to deny them that.
“For people in Abia, my advice is that people should not pour out on the streets because it may be more hurtful than the reason for the protests that people are calling for”, Otti stated.
He acknowledged the sacrifices of Mr Obi for the common people of Nigeria and expressed gratitude for the visit and continuous support to his administration.
On his part, Mr. Peter Obi who described hunger and hopelessness among the youths as the primary causes of the planned protests, pleaded that the protests should be conducted in a civil manner.
“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 civil manner that allows us as a nation to show that we live within the law.
“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.
Obi urged the government to engage with protesters and security agencies to manage the situation lawfully.
“We all have to listen to what Nigerians are going through and I thank our Governor for doing so. It is critical and important.
“What I have to say to the security agencies is to ensure that they manage the situation, again within the law. We should not try to be overbearing.
“Protest is allowed everywhere globally. And, I also say that people protest in my house and it is for us to listen to those who are protesting and why they are protesting and engage them.
“That is what governance is all about, you talk with them, there is nothing wrong in that. I was Governor for years and people protested and we kept dialoguing and deliberating about it”, Obi disclosed.
