Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma expressed his reservations about the planned nationwide protests proposed by Nigerian youths and other citizens.
Uzodimma criticized the organizers for not providing a clear rationale behind their call for demonstrations, which are set to address the ongoing economic difficulties under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
During a press briefing at the State House, where he introduced former Senate President Pius Anyim to President Tinubu, Uzodimma voiced his concerns about the premature timing of the protests. He argued that, given the current state of the nation and its economic challenges, it is not the appropriate moment for such actions.
“Democracy allows for protests as a means of expressing the people’s opinion. However, every protest should be well-conceived and politically sensible. At this juncture in the administration, it seems premature to organize protests without a detailed explanation of the issues at hand,” Uzodimma stated.
He highlighted a lack of transparency from the protest organizers, noting that there has yet to be any public disclosure of the reasons behind the proposed demonstrations. Uzodimma further expressed concerns over the potential for such protests to exacerbate the already fragile political and security environment in the country.
“There has been no engagement or clear communication from those organizing the protests about the reasons behind their actions. In light of the current global and local insecurities, our political climate is particularly delicate. Without a clear agenda, these protests could potentially lead to chaos and be exploited by criminal elements,” he warned.
Uzodimma also questioned the purpose of the protests, suggesting that without a well-defined objective or a clear set of demands, the protests could inadvertently worsen the economic and social conditions currently affecting the nation. He urged the organizers to rethink their approach and delay the protests until there is a more structured and reasoned plan in place.
“This is not the right time to further inflame tensions within our society. The economic recession has already placed significant strain on the populace, and an ill-timed protest could only add to these challenges. I advise those involved to reconsider and perhaps postpone their plans until a clearer and more constructive dialogue can be established,” Uzodimma concluded.
