Hunger Protest: Gov Nwifuru, Umahi, others Engage Ebonyi youths, urge them to shun protest

From Chinedu Nwafor, Abakaliki

Governor Francis Nwifuru alongside other leaders of the State Wednesday engaged the youths of the state and urged them to shun the proposed nationwide protest hashtagged, #EndBadGovernance# in Nigeria .

The leaders noted that such protest would lead to destruction of infrastructure and loss of lives if encouraged to take place.

Others leaders present at the event which was held at Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, were: the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi,

former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius, former Governor of the state, Chief Martin Elechi,among others.

Governor Francis Nwifuru in his remarks urged the people of the state to refrain from participating in the protest and assured that his admit was committed to addressing the challenges facing the State and working tirelessly to improve on the lives of the citizens.

He also urged that President Tinubu be given more time to fix the country.

“I am aware of the planned protest against hunger and bad governance scheduled to take place across the country including Ebonyi State. While I understand the reasons and concerns that have led to this call to action, I strongly urge you all to refrain from participating in this protest.

“As your governor, my administration is committed to addressing the challenges we face, and we are working tirelessly to improve the lives of our citizens. However, protests can often lead to unintended consequences, including violence, destruction of property, and disruption of essential services.

“Instead, I invite you to engage with us through constructive dialogue and peaceful channels such as today’s event. We have established these mechanisms for feedback and complaints, and we are always willing to listen to your concerns.

“I appeal to Nigerians to exercise patience with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration who obviously is making efforts to fix the country and make lives better for the citizens”, Nwifuru stated

Minister of Works, Sen David Umahi in his remarks, accused 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi of inciting the Igbo and the entire nation for the protest.

He urged him to stop making comments concerning the Igbo, as according to him, only Ohanaeze Ndigbo is the mouthpiece of the Igbo.

“Our brother Peter Obi should stop speaking for our people.

“When some tiny few evil men are hibernating in some places planning for protest and don’t know what they are protesting for, Ebonyi State case is very different.

“The Governor has called the youths and the leaders of the state to make his position and that of the state known”, Umahi said

On his part, former Governor of the state, Chief Martin Elechi urged the people of the state not to protest.

He noted that protest has rather worsened things instead of addressing problems and predicted that lives and properties may be lost if the people go on protest.

Elechi called for patience with the Tinubu led administration to fix all the problems of the country.

The event attracted many youth groups and Stakeholders of the State