Engage agitators to avert protest, group urges FG

A non-governmental group, Christian Conscience, has urged the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to engage in a constructive dialogue with the youths and other groups calling for a nationwide protest.

The group expressed concerns that a protest could be counterproductive during the current economic restructuring.

The position of the group was outlined in a release jointly signed by the group’s National President, Yetunde Akinluyi, and the General Secretary, Kolawole Verrals.

The statement was issued by the group’s National Publicity Director, Tunji Oguntuase, following their monthly executive meeting in Ikeja, Lagos State, on Tuesday.

“We are living witnesses to how the present government is weighing and working on various efforts and interventions at stabilising the economy. We urge Nigerians to give the government more time for its various interventions and other efforts to yield positive results for the betterment of all and sundry

“We are aware of the hardship being experienced by all Nigerians but patience and endurance need to be applied by all,” the group urges Nigerians.

”What is the motive and gain of a protest at a time like this? For any activist to embark upon, those concerned should have the outcome in mind. There should not be room for the wrong people to hijack a protest.

“The fatherly approach and wisdom the President applied while negotiating the issue of minimum wage with the Labour groups a few weeks back should also be applied to bring the agitators to avert the looming protest,” the group said.

Commenting on the impasse between the petroleum regulators and the Dangote Group, Christian Conscience called for care and mutual understanding among the parties.

“We commend the intervention of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri in resolving the issue. Regulatory bodies must strike a balance between policies, initiatives and socio-economic factors. Whereas government is about and for the people.

“The government must protect investors both from within and outside the country so that their investments are solidified and substantiated,” the group said.