Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 Presidential election, Peter Obi has urged would be protester to avoid violence and make their feeling known in a peaceful manner.
Obi who addressed a joint press conference with Abia State governor Alex Otti Sunday in Nvosi Isiala Ngwa South local government, said people in President Tinubu’s government rather than address the biting economic hardship are looking for sponsors of protests.
“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.
“So, we all have to listen to what Nigerians are going through and I thank our Governor Otti for doing so. It is critical and important”, Mr. Obi said.
“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 a civil manner that allows us as a nation to show that we live within the law”.
Governor Otti said he was worried that the planned August 1 protests could be hijacked by hoodlums. He advised Abia youths to try another form of protest.
“We have seen protests hijacked. My fears are that this one will also be hijacked
“Even when you write a letter it is a protest. You can sit down and write a letter of protest, you can call somebody and register your displeasure about what he is doing or how he is running the government. They are all protests and are allowed. But when you now go outside the law and begin to unleash mayhem and violence that is where it is not acceptable”.
