…..Warns against turning Southwest to theatre of violent protests.
As different groups are rejecting amd advocating the proposed nationwide hunger protest the Southwest Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has directed political office holders in the zone to return to their various base and interface with their people on efforts being made by President Bola Tinubu to reform the nation’s economy.
This formed part of the decision taken at the APC Southwest Executive Committee emergency meeting held in Akure, the Ondo State Capital at the weekend and communique made available to newsmen on Monday.
In the communique signed by Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke, National Vice Chairman (Southwest zone) and Hon. Vincent Bewaji, Zonal Secretary, the party, while acknowledging the right of all those who abode/live in the Southwest to peaceful protest, called on all South westerners both home and abroad to refuse to allow the Southwest of Nigeria to be used as a theatre of war or Centre of criminality via violent protests.
The Southwest APC said “the destruction of the economic and Industrial heritages of the Southwest, which it is yet to recover from the destructions during the End-SARS protest, is instructive.
“The Party in the Zone calls on government officials from the Zone who are politicians to return to their various base to interface and explain government’s sincere motives to their people.
“The Party calls on leaders of the Southwest including traditional rulers, leaders of opposition parties, Elites, Union leaders, market women, students, and Religious leaders in the Southwest to stand up and protect all socio-economic interests of the South West by ensuring that no violent protests of any sort are held in any part of the Southwest.
“The Party in the zone recognises that every Nigerian has a right under our Constitution to Hpeaceful protest and express himself or herself over the programme(s) of government.
“The Party in the Zone notes the giant and monumental steps already taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to give a new socio- economic direction to Nigeria to ultimately ensure prosperity and abundance for all Nigerians.
“The Party in the Zone further notes that, as to be expected, the monumental structural economic changes undertaken by the government have brought hardship to a great number of Nigerians. Members of the party in the Southwest are not insulated from the pains and hardship.
“The Party pleads with Nigerians to bear these temporary hardships and pains with patience and equanimity and assures that, in no time, these pains would give way to meaningful livelihood for all Nigerians.
“The party in the zone urges all State chapters of the Party in the Southwest to continue to sensitize members of the Party and the public in their States on the need to keep the peace and tranquility in the region.
“The party in the zone categorically and unequivocally condemns the call for change of democratically elected government outside of periodic election and other legally provided procedures, as unconstitutional, illegal, undemocratic and provocative. Election losers, their supporters, and sympathisers must learn to wait for the next round of elections.
“The Party in the Zone pledges its loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and commends his bold, courageous, foresighted leadership of Nigeria.
“The Party encourages the President to continue, while doggedly executing
the renewed hope agenda, to be mindful, of the present hardship facing
Nigerians and to as characteristic of him, be flexible in addressing the
negative consequences of government desirable programmes on ordinary
Nigerians,” the communique read.
