By Chesa Chesa
All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairmen on Monday unveiled plans to organise counter rallies in support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration against the nationwide protests planned by some Nigerians this week against alleged bad governance and hunger in the land.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja as APC State Chairmen Forum, the chairmen said they would stand idle and allow undemocratic forces to topple the government they worked hard to elect into office.
They therefore, enjoined aggrieved Nigerians to listen to the voices of reason and several appeals by eminent political, traditional and religious leaders to shelve the protest and avoid being used by “sore losers” from the last general elections .
Speaking on their behalf, the Secretary of the Forum and Chairman of Cross River State chapter of the party, Alphonsus Ogar, appealed to Nigerians to give President Tinubu more time to implement his Renewed Hope Agenda which will bring better days for the nation.
Ogar said that numerous security reports indicate sinister plans by some unpatriotic persons to hijack the lawful protest and unleash violence and mayhem reminiscent of the 2020 #Endsars protests and the recent violent protests in Kenya.
Ogar said: “We call on Patriots to join forces with Security Agencies to report any criminal element who attempt to carry out any act of violence.
“In the next two weeks commencing from today 29th July to 11th August 2024 and from this press briefing, which shall follow with a solidarity rally by all structures of our party across all political wards, LGAs and States capital including Abuja FCT, we shall embark on peaceful rally to re-echo the laudable projects and the programs of President Tinubu with greater vigour to protect and defend our democracy from any attack by hoodlums or some criminal elements who wants to carry out violent protest.
“All our party men and concerned Nigerian in other political parties, are enjoined to stand firm in protection of democracy. It should be noted that violent protest being contemplated by the faceless group as contained in their charter of demand will annihilate the democratic ideals which all political parties subscribed to.
“This is unacceptable and we must resist it in the most civil manner by sensitizing innocent and peace loving people of our country about the plans of failed politicians who want to get power through every illegitimate means by inciting ignorant Nigerians to embark on violent protest.
“We call on all security Agencies to please stand by their Oath to protect life and properties. We humbly urge them to be proactive rather than being reactionary.”
