Trying To Use Stakeholders To Stop Protest Is Not The Solution: Ekerefe.

  

Former Spokesman of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, has  advised  that the desperate moves by the Federal Government to engage traditional rulers, clergy men, opinion leaders and youth groups across the country  to stop the planned protest  scheduled for August 1st, will  not  be the solution to the problems. 

Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe who is the founder of  New Era Movement rather  called on President Bola Tinubu to take an inward look into his administration and re-jig his policies, check the performance of his economic team and his cabinet in other to forestall future protest against hardship.

Comrade Ekerefe, in a statement issued in Yenagoa on Monday, said it will be a great disservice to the country if he or anyone remains silent at this critical moment.

He however called on those behind the planned protest to remain peaceful and be vigilante against those planning to hijack the protest for selfish and political reasons.

The statement reads:" Nigerians were hoping to see the improvement of the economy after the arbitrary removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the floating of the Forex by the CBN  but one year after, there’s no sign that things will improve."

"The cost of living has spiraled and the hardship has become more pervasive and excruciating in the land. Hunger and starvation  are killing our people everyday and yet, the federal government is telling the citizens to continually remain patient. For how long? "

"Honestly, the federal government has left the citizens with no choice than to express their anger and frustration through a peaceful national protest which is backed by law to press home their demands."

"The president should reverse his inhuman policies that are gradually killing our people and put the economy back on track."

"Anybody who is opposed to a genuine national protest is either playing politics with the truth or being insensitive to the plight of the Nigerian people who are dying everyday because of hardship."

"The efforts of the federal government in engaging and giving handouts to traditional rulers, clergy men, opinion leaders and youth groups across the country because of the planned protest is not the solution to the economic woes." 

"President Tinubu should as a matter of urgency, recalibrate his failing economic team and bring in more competent people with fresh ideas that will help him restore the economy at this perilous time."

"While his government is in a panic mood and making desperate efforts to stop the protest, he should direct the security chiefs, especially the Inspector General of Police to give maximum protection to citizens who are coming out to peacefully protest over the state of the economy in the country."

"Peaceful protesters should be vigilant enough not to allow contracted hoodlums or hooligans  infiltrate their midst to cause mayhem and havoc in the protest venues." The statement concluded.