Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has called upon traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community heads to encourage their communities to avoid violence ahead of the planned #EndBadGovernance protest set to begin on August 1, 2024.
In a public address to the residents of Abia State, Otti emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and order during the national protest.
Governor Otti expressed his worries about the potential for the protest to turn violent, which could endanger the lives of vulnerable individuals. He acknowledged the right of Nigerians to protest against poor governance and economic hardships but cautioned that the original goals of the protest could be compromised if it were taken over by those intending to incite chaos.
“Some economic policies of the federal government, including the removal of the fuel subsidy, may not have yet produced the desired results as initially intended, but I urge our youths to pursue peaceful means to express their grievances rather than resorting to violence,” Otti stated.
“What Abians need now is a strong sense of peace and sustained development, not chaos.
“Our administration has made significant investments in infrastructure in Aba and Umuahia, and such infrastructure should be protected from those who may attempt to hijack the protest and cause mayhem.
“Abia State civil servants have received the April tranche of the Wage Award, as promised by our administration, among other commitments. Therefore, I plead with Abia people to shun violence.”
