The presidential candidate of the labour party in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi has said that the planned protest by the Nigerian youths is caused by hunger and hopelessness among Nigerians.
Obi stated this on Sunday after a private breakfast meeting with the Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti at his Umuehim Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government area.
The former State Anambra State Governor who acknowledged that things are difficult in the country pleaded with those that will protest to do so within the law and in civil manner.
Obi, however, urged the security agencies to ensure that they manage the protests within the law and also advised the government to engage with the protesters and dialogue with them towards addressing the reasons for the protests.
According to the former Anambra State Governor “On the issue of protest, within the Nigerian constitutions, protest is allowed. All I plead for is for those who are protesting to do so within the law and in civil manner that allows us as a nation to show that we live within the law.
“Everybody knows that things are difficult and I always say that when they talk about the sponsors of protest, the sponsors are very simple, it is hunger, it is hopelessness among the youths.
“So, we all have to listen to what Nigerians are going through and I thank our Governor for doing so. It is critical and important.”
Obi called on the security agencies to ensure that they manage the protests within the law and advised the government to engage with the protesters and dialogue with them towards addressing the reasons for the protests.
“What I have to say to the security agencies is to ensure that they manage the situation, again within the law. We should not try to be overbearing. It should be something that we do within the law.
“Protest is allowed everywhere globally. And, I also say that people protest in my house and it is for us to listen to those who are protesting and why they are protesting and engage them. That is what governance is all about, you talk with them, there is nothing wrong in that.
“I was Governor for years and people protested and we kept dialoging and deliberating about it,” he added.
On his part, Otti agreed that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria allows for peaceful protests and equally agreed that protest must be done within the ambits of the
