Economic Hardship: APC Committee appeals to Nigerians to abort planned protest

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC)
has appealed to Nigerians to abort their planned nationwide protest against economic hardship in the country.

The party NWC made the appeal while briefing journalists on the resolution after a closed door meeting at the party headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

Speaking on behalf of the Committee, the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru explained that the current hardship is a global challenge that is not peculiar to only Nigeria.

He urged Nigerians to embrace peace and believe in the administration of President Bola Tinubu, as it is working assiduously to address most of these challenges.

“The NWC join our President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu to passionately appeal to all Nigerians, including those planning the protest to shelve their plans and have confidence and believe that the government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working hard to address most of the economic challenges facing the nation and that development and progress can only come in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

“The efforts of the government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to bring development to the country, revitalize the economy and change the dynamics of our economy can only be brought to fruition when we have an atmosphere of peace and support for the members of the public.

“The National Working Committee of the party also noted that since the coming on board in 2023 June, May 29 precisely, the government met quite a number of challenges especially economic challenges as well as security challenges and it is on record that the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is gradually implementing programmes and policies that would in the nearest future bring succor and relief to the generality of the citizens. In fact we have been seeing clear manifestations of those efforts of Mr. President.

“The NWC meeting also highlighted that it is important to note that the present cost of living challenge is a global one, it is not localized to the country and should not be used as a tool for politics by any individual. The cause of the global cost of living challenges are attributable to several factors including that globally, production has not gone back to the pre-covid era. There is also the belief that immediately after that (Covid) was also the Ukrainian/Russian war which affected supply of grains and other key supplies globally. We also have the ongoing gaza/Israeli war. So the economy challenges is all over the world and affect all globally and should not be localised”, he explained.

The party however noted that some of the issues of discuss are constitional and not within the purview of the President.

They said, “Those things that are within the purview and parameters of the President, he will be able to address. But for instance, they spoke about corrupt elements being fished out and sent away from the judiciary. Our constitution in Nigeria recognise the submission of innocence, so how do you determine when Nigeria Judicial Council (NJC) has not taken action against anybody.

They also spoke about diaspora voting which cannot be done by the president alone, it has to be done by the National Assembly and two third of the state House of Assembly. If that is the subject matter of protest, it will amount to a invitation of anachy”, he added.