Call For Nationwide Protest Not In The Interest Of Nigerians – Says Snr. Comrade Emeni Ibe 

In a statement on Tuesday 23rd July, 2024, in Port Harcourt, Snr. Comrade Emeni, who is also the Leader of the Niger Delta Contractors said, “There are calls and preparations on several social media platforms by some selfish individuals, especially those who are still aggrieved over their loss in the 2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.

“Those behind this unpatriotic call are bad electoral losers, who shouldn’t be in politics in the first place because they lack the spirit of sportsmanship.”

“Funny enough, these set of people who are organising and mobilising for the “Nationwide Protest” are well known serial political failures.

It is safe to say that there is no record anywhere in the world that presidential elections were won by everyone who contested in such an election at the same time. That people contested and lost in an election shouldn’t warrant the call by these set of people for the disturbance of the peace and stability of the nation.”

“Those calling for a “Nationwide Protest” of any nature for whatever reason should fact-check what such protest resulted to in countries like Sudan.”

“While it’s within their right to speak up against whatever is perceived not to be happening the way it ought to under the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, they should ensure that the planned protest doesn’t result in any breakdown of law and order, and doesn’t result to the loss of lives of innocent Nigerians, who are going about their legitimate businesses.”

“It is also on record that the sponsors and organisers of the so-called “Nationwide Protest” are also calling for the take over of the government.

I hope they are aware of the offence (s) behind the call for the take over of a legitimate government of any country in the world.”

“Presently, a lot of countries in the world are grappling with issues related to the global economic downturn of which Nigeria isn’t an exception.

As a response to the economic situation in the country, the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is coming up with proactive steps and responses in the form of policies, programmes, and initiatives geared towards ameliorating the temporary hardship being experienced by Nigerians at the moment.”

“As a way of supporting households in the 36 States in Nigeria, a credit corporation has been launched to promote consumption credit.

The Federal Government has also made palliatives available, including 740 trucks of rice to the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The Federal and State Governments are investing heavily in agriculture to produce more food at the moment.

There’s an improvement in the economy especially with a record level increase in the area of revenue generation by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The national debt has been reduced in dollar terms and investors are gaining more confidence in the government, and are returning back to our country.”

“At the moment, our stock market is the best in the world with a 33% returns on investment.

It is no longer news that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has graciously approved an increment in the minimum wage of the Nigerian worker by over 100% from N30,000 to N70,000.

It is equally important to add that this increment is not a one-stop measure as it will be reviewed upwards every three (3) years as agreed with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).”

“In line with the electoral promises of Mr. President, just a few days back, the Students’ Loan Scheme has been launched to assist Students in tertiary institutions in Nigeria to be able to access interest-free loans to assist in the completion of their education.

Before this time, as a way of ensuring that more funds gets to the sub-national governments made up of the 36 States of the federation for the purposes of boosting the revenue base of the States for social economic transformation, and to crystallize rapid growth and development within these States, more funding, never like before has been released on a monthly basis from the federation account by the Federal Government to the States.”

“As a demonstration of their support towards the efforts and commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make life more meaningful for the citizenry at this particular point in time, the Honourable Members of the House of Representatives in the National Assembly have agreed to donate 50% of their monthly renumeration/salaries for the next 6 months to the Federal Government.

This act of patriotism by members of the Green Chambers of the National Assembly is unprecedented in the 64 years history of our nation’s existence.

All of these are indication of the level of trust and confidence in the ability of Mr. President to turn this country around in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda.”

“Therefore, the call for a “Nationwide Protest” is unpatriotic, insensitive, and disruptive. It should be condemned by all well meaning Nigerians.

What we need now is more support for the government and not the selfish calls by some aggrieved politicians for their personal agenda.”