Forum of APC state Chairmen condemns nationwide protest, appeals for restraint

By David Odama

Forum of the ruling All Progressive Congress States Chairmen of Nigeria on Monday appealed to Nigerians to collectively reject the nationwide plan protest in the interest of peace and unity of the country.

This is even as it has commended Nigerians for their patience, tolerance over one year as a result of the hardship being encountered in the country.

The Forum in a press briefing jointly signed by the acting National Chairman, Hon. Cornelius ojelabi APC Lagos and Alphonsus Ogar Eba, APC, Cross River state, secretary in Abuja ahead Wednesday scheduled protest, however align itself with the traditional rulers, religious leaders, fathers , mothers and other critical stakeholders in appealing to well meaning Nigerians especially the youths to shun the planned protest

“While we want to commend the patience and tolerance of Nigerians and political leaders, fathers, mothers and friends alike across diverse religious, ethnic and different political parties to humbly appeal to all Nigerians to give Mr.

“It is with the greatest respect to all Nigerians and a deep sense of patriotism that we the Forum of All Progressives Congress (APC) States Chairmen in Nigeria brief the world today . We once again appreciate all Nigerians across party lines for their resilience and patience since the beginning of this administration”.

“It is true that our dear President on assumption of office took a bold, courageous and difficult step to reset the Nigerian economy and build stronger foundations to address the underlying problems of our economy – such as the huge and wasteful burden of payment of fuel subsidy and the wide disparity in the Forex market.

“While things appear to be tough today, our hope for a better tomorrow is assured through the Renewed Hope policies, programs and projects being embarked upon by Mr President and these are intended to provide a sustainable permanent economic prospect for the good of all Nigerians”, the forum declared..

According to the APC state Chairmen forum, the voices of the citizens would be heard as the president Ahmed Bola Tinubu remain committed to the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians.

“Your voices have been heard and we assure you that Mr President is relentlessly committed to providing the leadership that will take this country out of the current challenges. Protest is a constitutional right when done through the rule of law” the forum stated.

It however regretted that security reports have shown that the protest of allowed would be counter productive alleging that there are sinister arrangements by some unpatriotic persons to hijack the protest for the sole purpose of unleashing nefarious agenda to perpetrate violence and indulge in high level criminality reminiscent of the 2020 Endsars protest and the recent experience in Kenya.

“Fellow Nigerians, It is our humble view that this will worsen our already challenging socio economic situation and that is why we have decided to join our voices to make this appeal to all Nigerians.

“Furthermore, we have become fully aware through public utterances of some persons that the protest is more political than the economic concerns earlier expressed.

The Forum was however of the view that it was therefore proper to bring to the knowledge of rightly guided patriotic Nigerians that the political under current flowing from the planned protest appears to have redirected the initial focus of the planned protest from economic hardship to an unconstitutional change of government by some failed politicians.

It added that while elections have since been concluded and all judicial disputes amicably resolved by the Supreme Court, the attempt by sore losers trying to use this planned protest to achieve their aim is stoutly condemned by us APC Chairmen and must be condemned by all Nigerians across political parties who fought so hard toward the attainment of the democracy we all enjoy today.

“As the ruling party, we are prepared to meet every contestant in 2027 but we will not fold our arms and allow undemocratic forces to topple the Government we worked so hard to elect into office . That will be a disservice to the good people of Nigeria who freely gave us this mandate”.

The Forum also declared that despite the challenges of the moment, they were confident and very optimistic that the president’s policy in the areas of the Students loan schemes, the Consumer credit scheme, the minimum wage award by over 133%, the CNG Vehicle conversion policy, the renewed vigor in the war against corruption will be sustained”.

“Other notable areas such as insurgency, banditry, crude oil theft, the massive infrastructural projects, the renewed Hope housing project across the country, massive distribution of food and financial supports to all the States across political parties lines as palliatives, the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development to address the persistent farmers and herders clashes will address the prevailing challenges”.

While outlining some achievements such as the review of the Privatization policy of previous administrations particularly the reform in the Energy sector, the recent supreme court judgement on Local Government Autonomy, the massive investment in Agriculture and its value chain to guarantee food security, the removal of import taxes on pharmaceuticals and food products, recent surge in daily crude oil production from 800,000 barrels per day to over 1,600,000 barrels per day are eloquent testimonial to the effectuation of Mr. Presidents policy as wonderful steps in the right direction, the forum stated these were pointer to the fact that President Tinubu policy direction will soon reflect positive prospect in the Nigerian economy .

“We therefore humbly appeal that a little more patience be shown by all Nigerians even as we urge all our party men and women and Nigerians across political party lines to remain vigilant and work towards maintaining peace, law and order in their respective domain and localities to protect our hard earned democracy.

“We call on all patriotic Nigerian to resist any attempt by any one or any group of persons to intimidate them into unorganized protest likely to endanger the peace we currently enjoy as a Nation. We call on Patriots to join forces with Security Agencies to report any criminal element who attempt to carryout any act of violence.