Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West, SDP) has called on Nigerians, particularly the youth, to shun the planned protest billed to hold nationwide on October 1.
The lawmaker warned that such a protest poses grave danger to the country and its nascent democracy, especially that it could be hijacked by anti-democratic elements to unleash mayhem across the country.
Senator Wadada made the call in a statement issued to journalists in Keffi, Sunday.
According to the lawmaker, though the constitution of the country guarantees the right of citizens to embark on peaceful protest, the planned protest has every potential to be hijacked especially by those who do not mean well for the country.
He, therefore, urged Nigerians, particularly the youths, not to join the protest but to embrace dialogue with a view to maintaining peace, law and order.
Senator Wadada warned that there is the likelihood that some disgruntled elements may wish to seize the opportunity provided by the protest to cause mayhem in the country in their bid to derail the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He pointed out that the timing for the protest is wrong, particularly that the country is presently going through a difficult phase occasioned by the reforms initiated by President Tinubu.
“At this material time in the history of our country, it is even inconceivable for anyone to think of embarking on a public protest, particularly the youths and especially at such a time of national rebirth and transformation under the dynamic leadership of President Tinubu.
“It is a known fact that under his Renewed Hope Agenda, the President has initiated a comprehensive strategy being implemented to secure the nation’s prosperity through youth empowerment.
“The President’s agenda is focusing largely on youth inclusion in governance, technological empowerment, diversifying the economy, stimulating entrepreneurship, and skills development, with one of the administration’s significant steps being the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) resolution mandating a 30 per cent inclusion of young people in government,” he said.
Senator Wadada added that while President Tinubu is aware of the hardships being experienced as a result of the reforms he initiated, he has not left Nigerians to their fate as his administration is unfolding various interventions with a view to cushion the hardships.