From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi has the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi of inciting the Igbo and the entire nation for the protest.
he spoke as Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, former Senate president and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, and former governor, Chief Martin Elechi, yesterday met with youths across the state over the 10-day nationwide protest against hardship in the country.
Nwifuru, Umahi, Elechi and Anyim met with the youths and stakeholders of the state during youths and stakeholders interactive meeting in Abakalikil.
The Ebonyi leaders noted that the nationwide protest will lead to destruction of infrastructure and loss of lives and urged the youths to shun any form of protest in the state.
Senator Umahi urged him to stop making comments concerning the Igbo as according to him, only Ohanaeze Ndigbo is the mouthpiece of the Igbo.
“Our brother Peter Obi should stop speaking for our people. When some tiny few evil men are hibernating in some places planning for protest and don’t know what they are protesting for, Ebonyi State case is very different. The governor has called the youths and the leaders of the state to make his position and that of the state known,” he said
In his speech, Governor Francis Nwifuru implored the people of the state to refrain from participating in the protest.
“I am aware of the planned protest against hunger and bad governance scheduled to take place across the country including Ebonyi State. While I understand the reasons and concerns that have led to this call to action, I strongly urge you all to refrain from participating in this protest.
“As your governor, my administration is committed to addressing the challenges we face, and we are working tirelessly to improve the lives of our citizens. However, protests can often lead to unintended consequences, including violence, destruction of property, and disruption of essential services.
“Instead, I invite you to engage with us through constructive dialogue and peaceful channels such as today’s event. We have established these mechanisms for feedback and complaints, and we are always willing to listen to your concerns.
“I appeal to Nigerians to exercise patience with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration who obviously is making efforts to fix the country and make lives better for the citizens.”
On his part, former Elechi urged the people of the state not to protest.
He noted that protest has rather worsened things instead of addressing problems and predicted that lives and properties may be lost if the people go on protest.
Elechi called for patience with the Tinubu led administration to fix all the problems of the country.