A group within the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, Justice Forum, on Sunday, appealed to Nigerian youths to shun planned nationwide protest over current economic hardship in the country.
State Coordinator of the Forum, James Faleke, gave the advice in a statement by it’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Razaq Ajala in Lagos.
Faleke, a fourth term member of the House of Representatives, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, spoke at the Forum’s meeting on Saturday, the statement said.
He enjoined young Nigerians to embrace dialogue and shun any action or utterances that could lead to breakdown of law and order.
The lawmaker advised the youths not to allow some disgruntled elements to use them to achieve a self-centered political agenda.
Faleke recalled the aftermath of the 2020 #EndSARS protest in Lagos, which, he said was hijacked by disgruntled elements, leading to the loss of innocent lives, and properties worth billions of naira destroyed.
According to him, “We all witnessed how innocent lives and properties worth billions of naira were lost during the so-called ENDSARS protest a few years ago in Lagos when a genuine agitation turned into violence.
“There is need for us to thread softly with the development in Kenya and other similar incidents across the world where genuine agitations have been hijacked by agents of the devil.
“Thereby resulting into loss of innocent lives and several properties destroyed.”
Faleke, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Finance, explained that positive effects of some of the policies of President Bola Tinubu were beginning to manifest on the nation.
He said, “President Bola Tinubu’s administration has just approved a new minimum wage for civil servants which is more than 100 per cent.
“He has equally removed the duties payable on essential food items, payment of student loans among other efforts by the government to put the Economy back on track.
“We appeal to Nigerians to continue to support Mr. President in his resolve to institute a sustainable economic model that will benefit all.”
Faleke enjoined all APC leaders to use their positions to educate and sensitize the populace on the need to understand President Tinubu’s policies.
He said that leaders at the federal, state and local governments nationwide must educate Nigerian youths on the need to be patient for the President’s policies to manifest.
There have been reports that some Nigerians, under the aegis of various organizations, are planning a nationwide protest from August 1 to August 15 over the rising cost of living and economic hardships.
