APC Commends Anambra Citizens For Shunning Nationwide Protest

By Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka

Anambra State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Sir Basil Ejidike has lauded the people of the state for not participating in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest.

Ejidike expressed his appreciation over the weekend while briefing the press on the state of the nation in Awka, the state capital.

He said, “Let me specially appreciate  Anambra people for their patience and understanding with Mr. President. I urge them to continue supporting the Nigerian government. It is worthy of note that  Anambra people’s calm disposition on this matter, and their choice not to protest, is not a sign of weakness but a patriotic understanding of the current Nigerian situation. As the Light of the Nation, Anambra citizens do not follow the bandwagon but continue to demonstrate this light to the rest of Nigeria. This attitude once again showcases our people’s resilience and commitment to the unity and growth of the country.

“I sincerely thank the Nigeria Police in Anambra State under the capable leadership of CP Obono Nnaghe Itam, and other security agencies for their professional conduct thus far. I encourage them to maintain the peace and stability they have achieved while expressing hope for a more prosperous Nigeria for all.

“I appeal to  Anambra people and Nigerians to remain calm and give peace a chance. We stand to gain much more through constructive dialogue than through protests. It is important to reiterate that peaceful protest remains a constitutional and legitimate means of expressing displeasure towards government policies and events. However, we should be aware that some unscrupulous elements may hijack such legitimate exercises, potentially disrupting the peace of our state.”

Ejidike recalled previous peaceful protests that were hijacked by miscreants, citing the 2020 EndSARS protest as the most recent example.

He noted that the country has yet to recover from the effects of that uprising, urging all concerned to be cautious and patriotic in their actions to avoid exposing communities to threats and invasion by miscreants masquerading as protesters.

Security Situation

He noted that the current security situation may not be favorable for a peaceful protest, hence his appeal for calm.

“In light of the above, we as a political party will address you on several issues regarding Federal government policies, the state of the economy, and its implications for citizens. Recall that His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, upon assumption of office, took bold, courageous, and difficult steps aimed at repositioning and building a strong Nigerian economy. These include the removal of the fuel subsidy regime, which had significantly impacted the nation’s finances.

 “This policy was initiated in the best interest of the Nigerian people and has led to increased allocations for states and local governments. Other measures include major infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, and the Calabar-South East-North Central-Apo Abuja Superhighway; the Renewed Hope Housing projects across the country; and various other basic projects ongoing in different parts of Nigeria,” he said.

The APC Chairman noted that in the past year, President Tinubu has achieved significant progress in various sectors aimed at improving Nigerians’ lives.

“These include the negotiation, passage, and signing into law of a new minimum wage, a 133% increase from the previous rate; the implementation of the Students’ Educational Loan Programme by NELFUND, which has disbursed over one billion naira to over 20,000 tertiary students; and the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle conversion programme. President Tinubu has also announced a 150-day duty-free importation window for essential foods and injected 2 trillion naira into the economy for rapid stabilization. The signing of the South East Development Commission highlights Mr. President’s commitment to the region’s development.

“In agriculture, the President has created the Ministry of Livestock Development to address farmer-herder conflicts, which have adversely affected farming yields and led to frequent killings. The removal of import taxes on pharmaceutical and food products, the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative, Women Agricultural Support Programme (RHI-WASP), and the distribution of foodstuffs and financial aid to the vulnerable across all states are notable achievements that should be supported.

“Under President Tinubu, the oil sector has seen tremendous success, including the commencement of refined petroleum production from the Dangote and Port Harcourt refineries. The recent approval for the NNPC to sell crude oil to Dangote and other local refineries in naira, as well as the increase in the country’s crude oil production capacity, are steps in the right direction. The recent Supreme Court judgment affirming Local Government autonomy is another significant achievement, reflecting Mr. President’s genuine interest in restructuring the Nigerian Federation.

“We commend Mr. President’s bold actions against challenges threatening the country’s growth. The affirmation of autonomy by the Supreme Court will stimulate Local Government systems and promote rural development. The President is also reviewing the privatization policy of previous administrations and intensifying the anti-corruption fight, as well as the battle against banditry, insurgency, and terrorism,” he explained.

Ejidike appealed to Nigerians to collaborate with the government under President Bola Tinubu for enduring success from these policies.

He commended the resilience and patience exhibited by Nigerians over the years and assured that Mr. President was committed to making life more equitable and meaningful for the people of Nigeria.

According to him, the president is taking a longer, more sustainable route to revitalizing the Nigerian economy, avoiding short-term measures that could destabilize the country.

“I urge us all to be patient and support our president in his efforts. It is our collective responsibility to make Nigeria work. We must not allow ourselves to destroy the infrastructures we have and are building under the guise of protest. Let us work together to build a more prosperous Nigeria for the benefit of all,” he added.

End.