A former two-term Lagos lawmaker of Igbo extraction, Mr Jude Idimogu, has urged Nigerian youths not to set the country on fire with the proposed nationwide protest.
Idimogu, who represented Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
The lawmaker, who is also Deputy Apex Leader, Ndigbo in Lagos State APC, said that Nigerian youths must avert destructive protest and give President Bola Tinubu more time to reposition the economy.
According to him, the youth need to toe the path of dialogue rather than any protest that can be hijacked by the enemies of the nation.
“I want all of us to be patriotic, no matter how it is. We know President Bola Tinubu’s background as someone who has also suffered before getting to the office. He feels the pains of Nigerians.
“The President knows Nigerians are suffering, and he is working hard to end the suffering, I want to appeal to you to please save this nation.
“Let this nation not go on fire, I am begging the Nigerian youths in particular, let us not use our hands to destroy our country,” he said.
Idimogu called on Nigerians to be united in efforts toward improving the nation’s economy.
“Though tribes and tongues may differ but in brotherhood we stand. This country belongs to us because we don’t have any other place that is ours.
“Others may have destroyed their country but we must not follow their footsteps.
“Yet, protest is our right but you can use other channels to meet with the government and express your opinion.” he said.
Idimogu urged the 36 state governors to support the Federal Government’s efforts in alleviating the challenges facing the people at the grassroots.
“Yes, we know that there is hunger in the land, all the 36 state governors should make a u-turn and be more patriotic to this country, because the citizens are not smiling.
“We are aware of hunger, but we cannot let our country go on fire, I want to appeal to the youths to take it easy. We have the responsibility to save this country,” he said.
There have been reports that some Nigerians, under various bodies, are planning a nationwide protest from Aug. 1 to Aug. 10, over the rising cost of living and economic hardships.