By TINA TIMOTHY

Amid threats of national protests and an atmosphere of uncertainty, the governor of Abia state, Dr Alex Otti OFR, has expressed concern that the planned protest slated for August 1 to 10, 2024, may escalate into violence, potentially harming vulnerable and weak individuals in the country.

In a statewide special broadcast on Monday, July 29, the governor appealed to the youths to pursue peaceful means to express their frustration through dialogue and engagement, adding that although President Bola Tinubu’s policies may not have yielded the desired result, it was clear from the get-go that these corrective measures will come with pain and inconveniences.”

He said: "For the past few months, we have heard expressions of dissatisfaction from various quarters. Recently, the sentiments of disaffection have snowballed into threats of protests across many regions, states and cities in the country. Clearly, there is evidence that all is not well in the polity as it would be uncharitable to dismiss the genuine angst of millions of our compatriots who have been caught up in the rising wave of economic troubles such that despite their best efforts, they still struggle to meet their daily needs.

“We have to acknowledge that some of the measures taken by the central government to stop the haemorrhaging of our economy have brought severe hardship to many individuals, families and organizations. Uncertainty has become rife and there is widespread fear about what tomorrow may bring as biting inflation continues to frustrate the plans of individuals and businesses.

“While it is fair to acknowledge the present pains, it is also proper to realise that what we are suffering today is the culmination of years of poor judgment in the management of the national economy. The ill-advised policy decisions of the past, recklessness in the use of Ways and Means instrument of the Central Bank, and a certain inability to address rampant acts of economic sabotage, all contributed to the distress now affecting millions of Nigerians.

“Much of the steps taken by the federal government, including removal of petrol subsidy, are aimed at ending years of abuses and cronyism, and ultimately redirect national resources to areas of genuine needs, especially infrastructural development, and other initiatives that can improve the economy through job creation, and holistic reset of the real sector to drive long term growth.

“It was clear from the get-go that these corrective measures will come with pain and inconveniences. Even then, the expectation was that the pain will be short-lived while the gains will ultimately set the national economy free to soar. So far, the expectations have not materialized, and our compatriots are losing patience. This explains what now seems like a resort to protests for many who apparently have lost hope in the promises of economic rejuvenation.”

Otti acknowledged that Nigerians have the right to protest against poor conditions but expressed concern that any good intentions of the original organisers of the national protest may be undermined if opportunists and hoodlums hijack the protest to incite disorder.

He continued: "Again, I would like to acknowledge that the right to protest is a democratic one which adds to the appeal of democracy. We are a democratic nation, and citizens to whom the leaders are all accountable to, are free to always express their dissatisfaction, especially when their basic needs are not met.

“At any rate, the subject of protest which has become very popular in Nigeria at the moment must be understood broadly. While street protests appear to have gained ascendency over the years when citizens want their governments to take a different course on an issue, one must also look at the downside including destruction and carnage, sabotage by fifth columnists working for various interest groups, infiltration by thugs and criminal gangs leading to unexpected new realities, and the impact on those on the lower rungs of the economic ladder who rely on each day’s earning to survive.

“So, while the intentions of the promoters of the protest may be genuine and wholesome, we have also seen many instances where similar initiatives were hijacked by other interest groups in pursuit of an agenda that may be unknown to the original promoters. These are very uncertain times and one must call for caution – lest that which had been intended to remedy a bad situation becomes the spark that causes an inferno that may consume the innocent, the weak and the vulnerable. Our government has taken it as a duty to protect these groups in our society.”

The governor consequently advised Abia youths to exercise restraint and engage with leaders through a charter of demands and vowed that his administration would do everything possible to protect the people from harm and destruction.

Continuing, Otti said: “Again, may I admit that there are genuine reasons for disaffection with what has been, and possibly what is. But then, how about we consider what could be, especially if we explore other equally important forms of protest, apart from taking to the streets in anger? What if as citizens, we immediately begin to engage our elected leaders and representatives across the various levels of government, presenting them with a charter of demands with realistic timelines for the attainment of important milestones?

“In addition to engaging the leaders through town hall meetings and regular in-person gatherings initiated by the citizens, we can also use written traditional and electronic correspondences to channel our disagreements and frustrations with government policies and programmes. We may be tempted to downplay the importance of a simple correspondence but history has repeatedly demonstrated that the pen is mightier than the sword. In this age and time when the pen, ink, paper, envelop, and postal channels have been merged into a tiny electronic device in our pockets, we must never underestimate the immense privileges, possibilities, and power technology has brought to the tip of our fingers — to force the attention of our leaders in the direction we seek.

“I am therefore appealing to my compatriots, especially the millions of disaffected young people, to explore the extensive resources at their disposal to drive the change that we seek instead of setting our nation on an uncertain path. As someone who has fought injustice using non-disruptive channels, especially modern technology and the traditional and new media, I can assure you, my dear young Nigerians, that we can achieve a lot more by measured restraint and order, than we can ever do through chaos, and unrest.”

He further noted that with the ongoing massive infrastructural developments in Abia in the last one year, which “took so much sacrifice, tears and blood” to achieve, there is no need to engage in any negative disruptive actions in the state, adding that “the New Abia is your baby and must be protected from whatever could present a threat to its continuous development”

“Starting in 2014, young Abians, artisans, civil servants, traders, and community leaders led a mass movement to reclaim our State from the ruins caused by unaccountable leadership. Using the very same tools I am advocating today; they disrupted the political dynamics in the State and installed a government that answers to them. Even in the face of injustice and extreme provocation, there was never a time violence became an option.

“14 months after assumption of office, even those who saw our cause as a lost one now agree that indeed, nothing can beat the determined action of a group of sincere people motivated by the desire to make a change in their social and economic conditions. Abia, since May 29 last year, has seen unprecedented infrastructural development, and things we were told could not be done have now become routine activities. Hope is returning and all that could have been imperiled by violence have now been attained by patience, firmness and non-threatening disposition.

“I would draw this broadcast to a close by calling on our young people in Abia State to adopt the principle of self-restraint in the wake of the widespread calls for street protests lest what we worked hard to attain be destroyed by those whose objectives are at variance with yours. The New Abia is your baby and must be protected from whatever could present a threat to its continuous development, especially in the urban centres of Aba and Umuahia where we are investing massively in impact-driven infrastructural projects.

“It took so much sacrifice, tears and blood to arrive at our present destination. We are therefore invited to resist any temptation to engage in acts that could unsettle our progress and return us to the better-forgotten days of arson, destruction and disruption. What every part of Abia needs presently is a high sense of order and peace so that citizens can go about their lawful businesses while we continue to push for the stabilisation of the economy using less-disruptive means including regular engagement with our leaders and representatives at the various levels of government,” the governor said.

He therefore appealed to parents, traditional rulers, leaders of religious organisations, and other community leaders to advise their people against resorting to violence, and to refrain from any action that may threaten the peace currently being enjoyed in the state.

“I would at this point call on parents, religious and traditional rulers, youth leaders and persons of influence to join the Abia State Government in appealing to our young people not to lend themselves to any activities that could threaten the peace of our communities. If we have learnt anything from a careful study of street protests over the years, it is the fact that things can become very unpredictable without a moment’s notice, and the innocent could easily become victims.

“While the Abia State Government remains committed to its statutory obligation of protecting lives and property, we must also know that as citizens, we have a very important responsibility in this regard by refraining from any action that may threaten the peace we currently enjoy.

“As a Government, we shall continue to do our best to improve the living conditions of our people. We recently gave out one billion naira interest-free loans to 10,000 nano and micro entrepreneurs across all the communities in the State. Workers in the State have just been paid a part of the combined N45,000 wage award promised them earlier in the month. These payments shall continue as we also seek new ways of ensuring that every group is catered for in the State’s economic stimulus and support programme.

“All I ask from you as your leader, brother, and friend is that you continue to have faith in the Government and avoid whatever could derail our attention, confident that we are running a different race, and shall continue to meet the expectations of our people as available resources permit,” he added.

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