Third Republic Reps urge youths to dump planned protest

Third Republic House of Representatives members pledged their alligence to President Tinubu and dissuaded youths from planned protest 

Members of Nigeria’s third Republic House of Representatives have appealed to Nigerian youths to reconsider the planned nationwide protest against hunger and economic challenges.

Led by Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa (APC Kano), the third Republic members pledged  loyalty to the government of President Bola Tinubu.

While recalling that  President Tinubu was a member of the Senate during the third Republic in 1992, they urged Nigerian youths not to be hasty in issuing judgement on his administration which is just one year in office. 

Mr. Basil Okafor, who spoke on their behalf at a press briefing on Friday, said the resolutions were reached following an extraordinary meeting held recently.

Okafor said: “Protest is definitely not an abnormality in a democracy. We appreciate that, and we appreciate them also for their initiative in this regard. But in this case, this administration is barely one year and two months old in existence.

“The administration of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is evidently not resting on his oars. Nigeria has already gone through its share of turbulence through a long period of military dictatorship. The epileptic political transition program let us all avert a situation that can lead us in this ugly path again.”

Okafor noted that the third Republic members remain loyal to President Tinubu and commended his efforts so far. “We pledge our loyalty to the Government of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. We commend him for boldly addressing the problem of the local government autonomy through the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“This problem has been neglected for many years and several years now. The process of nation-building is a long and tedious one. We are sure and hopeful that very soon our country will benefit from the reforms being carried out.” he said.

He therefore called on all citizens to execute their duties and dissuaded youth from carrying out any planned demonstration. 

Meanwhile, Rep Doguwa while responding to a question as to whether the group was out to intimidate the youth from embarking on the plan protest, said: “We are not here to intimidate anyone. We are not here to threaten anyone. We are only trying to implore the way of peace.

“It’s only when we have peace that we can have development. And we proudly remain associates of Mr. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Because we serve in virtually the same capacity as members of this great institution in 1992.

“And we have seen a lot of qualities. We have seen a lot of virtues. We have seen a lot of zeal and commitment attributed to the person of Mr. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria today.

“That is why we proudly remain associates of Mr. President. And we want to plead with Nigeria. Not even the so-called perpetrators of this alleged protest. Nigerians are obliged to please understand Mr. President. He has once said it in one of his very popular speeches that he wished he could have done otherwise. He also feels, he also sees, he also takes the hardship people are going through.

“So we are pleading with Nigerians to show their support. We are pleading with whosoever is out on the street trying to bring chaos, trying to create a disquiet in the economy and in the country to please allow Mr. President to achieve us. We will definitely get there and Nigeria will prosper.”