***Give Tinubu time to address demands -Rep Agbodike
By Stella Alozie Abuja
Apparently unhappy with the level of destruction of lives and property in parts of the country by angry protesters in the ongoing nationwide protests, a member of the House of Representative, Hon Paschal Agbodike has pleaded with youths to calm down and give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu time to meet their demands.
Hon Agbodike who represents Ihiala Federal Constituency in Anambra state and a member of House Committee on Hydrological Services, begged the protesters to suspend the protest and allow government to address their grievances which indeed reflect the situation of things in the country.
He lamented on the number of innocent persons killed and property worth billions of Naira destroyed within the last few days of the protests noting that in most cases the damage caused in any protest is worth more than whatever demands protesters make from the authorities.
According to the Lawmaker, “Going by history, most protests in Nigeria always turn out violent. We have not seen any protest in Nigeria of that magnitude that will end up in peaceful manner. At the end, hoodlums and some of the enemies of government, will hijack the good intentions of the protesters against the hardship they are witnessing, thereby turning out violent.
“So, in that regards among other reasons I use this opportunity to call on our youths not to continue with the protest. There are many ways to show grievances against the rulling party or the government, but in the real sense speaking from the opposition point of view, people from the opposition and those who don’t like the President’s face should Please stop encouraging people to burn down the country. ”
Continuing Hon, Agbodike said “I plead with the youths not to support those plotting to burn dawn this country, the country belongs to all of us. I appeal to the people to calm dawn, it is true, there is hunger and hardship everywhere, we all know the root cause of this hunger.
“I think if government should focus on securing our farms, if there will be adequate security for the farmers to return to the farm with some incentives, clear our bushes of kidnappers and bandits, this will help our farmers and price of food will drastically fall immediately.
“I believe the Presiden will channel his energy first towards that and it will be a credit for to his administration. When people are well fed there is nothing that can transmit anger, rather it will radiate joy in their faces and it will also metamorphose into love and understanding
According to him, the president should take into account those issues raised by citizens to address them and it will further showcase him as a responsive leader.
“We need to join hands and urge him to succeed. Any member of the opposition that has good idea to contribute to move this country forward should bring it to the table for discussion knowing that the country is ours. That is my contribution to the protest.
“I personally don’t support the protest because of the other side of it such as the killings and the violence recorded in the history of other protests we have witnessed in Nigeria. Also I don’t support shooting and killing innocent citizens of Nigeria.
“Let consider our brothers and sisters. We are running to nowhere. Let us not destroy our country, if not we all will surfer it together. So, let us cooperate for a better Nigeria.
“I don’t even have Visa of my own to travel to any country as there was a speculation that the members of National Assembly have ran away because of the protest, it was aimed at inciting people.
“There is nothing worst on earth than indoctrination, people are been indoctrinated into believing that lies will become truth, that same lie that people of the National Assembly earn fat salary. Now, we have divided our salary into two and consider one as sacrifice to calm dawn nerves.”
He further said,”What we need is lasting peace and if there is peace in the country, we shall be fine, if we learn how to use our conscience and respect one another, Nigeria will move forward.
“I believe this government is responsive enough especially when issues are raised, unlike the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari who will aways say, I am not aware. It is our collective responsibility, our duty to support the government of Ahmed Bola Tinubu.”