Proposed protest: APC Justice Forum begs youths to embrace dialogue

A group under the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos State, the Justice Forum, has advised Nigerian youths to shun planned nationwide protests over current economic hardship in the country.

The state coordinator of the forum, James Faleke, gave the advice in a statement by it’s director of media and publicity, Mr. Razaq Ajala, on Sunday in Lagos.

Faleke, a fourth-term member of the House of Representatives, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, spoke at the forum’s meeting held on Saturday evening in Ikeja, according to the statement.

The coordinator said that young Nigerians should embrace dialogue and shun any action or utterance that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.

The APC chieftain advised the youth not to allow some disgruntled elements to use them to achieve a self-centred political agenda.

Faleke recalled the aftermath of the 2020 ENDSARS protest in Lagos, which, he said, was hijacked by disgruntled elements and led to the loss of innocent lives andthe destruction of properties worth billions of naira.

He said, “We all witnessed how innocent lives and properties worth billions of naira were lost during the so-called ENDSARS protest a few years ago in Lagos, when a genuine agitation turned into violence.

“There is a need for us to thread softly with the development in Kenya and other similar incidents across the world where genuine agitations have been hijacked by agents of the devil.

“Thereby resulting in the loss of innocent lives and several properties being destroyed.”

Faleke, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, noted that the positive effects of some of the policies of President Bola Tinubu were beginning to manifest in the nation.

“President Bola Tinubu’s administration has just approved a new minimum wage for civil servants, which is more than 100 percent.

“He has equally removed the duties payable on essential food items and the payment of student loans, among other efforts by the government to put the economy back on track.

“We appeal to Nigerians to continue to support Mr. President in his resolve to institute a sustainable economic model that will benefit all,” the lawmaker said.

Faleke implored all APC leaders to use their positions to educate and sensitise the populace on the need to understand President Tinubu’s policies.

He said that leaders at the federal, state, and local governments nationwide must educate Nigerian youths on the need to be patient for the president’s policies to manifest.

There have been reports that some Nigerians, under various bodies, are planning a nationwide protest from Aug. 1 to Aug. 10 over the rising cost of living and economic hardships.