Avoid uncoordinated protests, support Tinubu’s reforms, says group

The Asiwaju Mandate Group has appealed to the people of Ondo State and its youths in particular to be more patient with President Bola Tinubu in his efforts at repositioning the country and making it our place of pride.

In a late Sunday statement signed by its Director General, Olumuyiwa Asagunla, the AMG expressed concern over what might be the outcome of the proposed nationwide protest scheduled to be held on August 1.

According to the group, how some unscrupulous individuals are promoting the protest for their gains and ulterior intentions is worrisome.

The statement made available to According Online read, “We strongly hold that the right to protest is that of every citizen of this country, and no one should attempt to subdue people’s voices whenever they choose to cry out about how they have been governed or misgoverned.

“We must also acknowledge that this our democracy as presently enjoyed was borne out of agitation and protests, and if there is any component of democracy that is germane, it is that of freedom.

“However, the trajectory of those and the records, over time, of those that seem to be promoting the protest with a political undertone is worrisome.

“At a time when we have not fully recovered from the woes of the EndSars, the looting, maiming, and destruction of public facilities that were replaced by common patrimony or lost forever, we can’t afford to have a repeat of such, and that is why the note of caution has been sounded to the ears of particularly the youths.”

The group noted that an uncoordinated protest without leadership is very dangerous, and youth should not allow themselves to be used by those who have ulterior motives again.

It pleaded with all youths of Ondo State and the nation at large to halt the planned protest, just as he advised the government to step up the engagement of critical stakeholders and be proactive on the policies of government aimed at making life more bearable for Nigerians.

Highlighting Tinubu’s efforts at solving the nation’s issues, AMG noted that “within a year of the President in office, he has given power back to the people with the landmark local government autonomy, through the Supreme Court judgment.

A review of the minimum wage to N70,000 and the introduction of a student loan scheme are some policies aimed at making life easier for Nigerians.

“Massive youth employment and promotion of personnel in correctional services, immigration and fire services, bother security, seamless application and collection of national passports, and other innovations brought by our national leader Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo to the Ministry of Interior show that there are brighter days ahead.

“We need to be patient with the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government to correct the misrule of the past years,” it read.

The group urged citizens to support the efforts of the president and his Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure the nation is rid of all forms of anti-people policies.

“Together we can birth a new nation with total and absolute support for President Tinubu to take back our country from those who have held us by the jugular over the years.

“We therefore strongly advise Nigerians not to embark on any protest for now because it will only create bad blood and it may take us back into the dark days,” AMG concluded.

Meanwhile, the socio-political group within the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State earlier on July 12 urged the National Assembly to come up with laws that could enable the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct local government elections.

This is as the group commended Tinubu for his role in securing financial autonomy for LGs across the country.