The Igbo members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos have urged Igbo communities in the state to boycott the planned nationwide protests against economic hardships in the country.
The President of the group, Mr Joe Igbokwe, made the call at a media briefing in Lagos on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there have been controversies around some groups planning a protest nationwide, from Aug. 1 to Aug. 10, to demand government’s solutions to rising cost of living and economic hardship.
Igbokwe urged all Igbos living in Lagos including residents and not to take part or join in repeating the mayhem they witnessed in 2020.
He noted that this was because they were yet to recover from the colossal damage, losses, massive looting in Lagos and across Nigeria
“We are bonafide members of APC in Lagos and Nigeria and we have gathered here to lend our voices to the planned 10 days nationwide protest.
“Given our experience on the 2020 EndSars protest that led to unprecedented destruction across Nigeria especially Lagos state, we do not think that the timing is good for Nigeria.
“The leadership of APC in Lagos State has spoken to the leadership of all major markets in the state.
“These markets were namely ASPAMDA, Odun-Ade Building Market, Mandilas, Lawanson and Oyingbo fridge and Air conditioning markets, Berger Auto Dealers, Yaba Markets just to mention.
“This is because we are yet to recover from the colossal damage, losses, and massive looting in Lagos and across Nigeria,” the president said.
Igbokwe said the Igbos were aware of the hard decisions being taken to reposition Nigeria and the massive reforms being carried out by the president.
He added that given his track records in matters of leadership and governance, they had no doubt that the president would lead Nigeria to the promised land.
Igbokwe, however, appealed to the Igbo community in Lagos and all Igbos in Nigeria to support the president for the good for the commonwealth.
He said the Igbos believed in the president given his track records in Lagos as he had laid the foundation for the unprecedented growth they were seeing in the state.
Igbokwe said they remained committed and loyal to the leaderships of Lagos and of Nigeria.
According to him, we pledge our support for the reforms the president is pushing and given his antecedents and deep knowledge in matters of leadership and governance, we know he will not fail. (NAN)