Planned Nationwide Protest: Gov Eno Sues For Calm, Patience From Nigerians

By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
As the date for the planned nationwide protest against the current economic hardship in the country draws near, the Akwa Ibom governor has sued for calm and patience from Nigerians as the federal government, in partnership with State governments, works out modalities to address the situation.
  This call comes amid growing concerns over the rising cost of living and economic hardship across Nigeria, which has necessitated the planned nationwide protest.
  Pastor Umo Eno, who made the call Friday, while fielding questions from the  Government House correspondents  at the Victor Attah International Airport (VAIA), Uyo, shortly on his arrival from the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) meeting in Abuja, noted that though it was the right of citizens to protest, it was necessary to be cautious against potential risks.
  Eno was concerned about the hijacking of the protest by hoodlums thereby leading to the destruction of government property which, he maintained, would only deepen the country’s economic woes as experienced after the EndSARS protests.
  He sued for unity in tackling the current hardships, while also calling for collective efforts to find plausible solutions, saying, “I would like to say that protest is a right of the people but we want to appeal to our people to let us give peace a chance.
  “The truth is, when we do this protest, hoodlums and those who don’t see anything good in government will hijack it and then destroy government property. Once we destroy government property, these things will be replaced and the hunger would deepen. We must not forget our experience from the EndSARS protests, where we lost a lot of things to hoodlums in disguise of protest.”
  The governor appealed to Akwa Ibom people to “come let us reason together”, as everyone is affected by the current hardship.
  According to him, there is no one that is enjoying while the rest is suffering, pointing out that with unity among Akwa Ibom people, a common solution to the issue that has bedeviled the country and state, would be sought for.
  Eno highlighted initiatives undertaken by his administration to alleviate the economic pressure on citizens to include the distribution of palliatives, support for the elderly, issuance of food vouchers, job creation efforts amongst others, urging Akwa Ibom residents to remain patient and cooperative with government as it continues to implement measures aimed at improving their welfare.
  “So I would like to appeal to Akwa Ibom people to let us reason together. Our youths and indeed all of us, we are in this together. There is no one party that is enjoying while the rest is suffering. Together, we will find a common solution to these issues that have bedeviled us.
  “We want to say that in Akwa Ibom, we have done and we are still doing our very best to address the hunger that is in the land. We have rolled out palliatives, and we are supporting citizenry in more ways than one, taking care of the elderly.
  “We are giving food vouchers, and we are trying to ensure that we create jobs for our people. Once government is on that path, I think it is on the right path,” the governor said.