The Nasareawa state chapter of All Progressive Congress (APC) has called on the good people of Nasarawa state to shun the planned national protest.

Addressing a press conference in Lafia, the chairman of the party Dr Aliyu Bello said addressing the media on the issue has became imperative in view of the danger inherent in such a protest. He noted that APC as a party in Nasareawa state has identified with the hardship being experienced, occasioned by the global economic downturn and development policies inherited by the present Bola Tinubu administration

Dr. Bello further stressed that APC as a party is fully aware of the democratic rights of citizens to ventilate their displeasure on some seemingly unfavorable government policies through protest but where the objective of such a protest will undermine national security and a breach of public peace, it became expedient for us as a people to have a rethink and embrace dialogue.

The text of the press conference reads:

1. Let it be on notice that this protest is a politically motivated action by some enemies of the state who do not mean well for the ordinary citizens except for their selfish political gains. They are out to cause disaffection among the citizens and sabotage the painstaking efforts of government by all means not minding the grave consequences on the fragile unity and security of our dear nation. Therefore, any attempt by the well-meaning citizen of Nasarawa State to validate their ill-motivated clamor by joining the protest may cause further untold hardship in the land.
2. We are also not unaware that the planned protest being organized by faceless individuals carries with it some ominous pretexts that are capable of snowballing into a full-scale crisis, therefore, we condemn in strong terms the ill motives behind the protest and enjoined citizens to be patriotic enough to embrace dialogue, give the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR a chance to revamp the economy and reposition the nation on the threshold of prosperity.
3. In all fairness to the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, pragmatic measures have been taken to improve the economy of the country and the welfare of the people.
4. Mr. President in his efforts to address the problem of food shortage and to ensure that there is food security, he has since directed state governors to cultivate a minimum of 10 hectares of land for the cultivation of grains; a project fully conceived and funded by the federal government.
5. Mr. President in his avowed commitment to resolving the perennial farmers/herders conflict has created the Ministry of Livestock Development as a way of boosting livestock production and food security in the country.
6. Mr. President recently signed into law the bill on the implementation of the new national minimum wage of 70, 000 naira with a view to improving other welfare and wellbeing of the Nigeria workers.
7. Mr. President in all genuineity of purpose and concerns for democracy and grassroots development has dared the state governors by the recent Supreme Court judgment which ceded financial autonomy to the local Government councils and granted them full recognition as federating units of the Nigerian political structure.
8. Mr. President has also in response to the yearnings of Nigeria people opened up the borders which hitherto were closed and has directed a lift on the ban on importation of goods and services to address the problem of food shortage and other essential items.
9. In Nasarawa State, His Excellency Engr Abdullahi A Sule the Governor of the State has been consistent in the pursuit of the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President.
10. A 10,000-hectare land is already been cultivated in the state to boost food and Agricultural production as well as provide employment for our teeming youth population.
11. His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule has been consistent in the prompt payment of salaries of workers in the state with an avowed commitment to settling of outstanding gratuities of retirees in the state.
12. Presently, Nasarawa State is the investment destination for multi-national companies thereby contributing immensely to the foreign direct investment of the country.
13. Engr. A. A Sule is committed to bequeathing good infrastructural facilities in the state and has continued to provide palliatives as a means to cushioning the effect of the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy
14. In view of the foregoing, the Nasarawa State APC is hereby calling on the good people of the State Especially our dear youths to give peace a chance, stay away from the protest, and avoid acts capable of taking us back to the era of unfathomable reconstruction. For the avoidance of doubt, Nasarawa state does not have any reason to join or participate in the protest. More so, that the demand of the organizers has no bearing on the existence and well-being of the people of Nasarawa state
15. We also want to use this medium to call on the security agencies to provide adequate security networks around the state and ensure that citizens go about their normal businesses without any hindrance.
16. As a party we have mobilized our members for a solidarity rally to be held simultaneously at the polling units, Wards, Local Government Areas, and at the state level as from 1st August 2024 to 14th August 2024 in support of the Administrations of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, FNSE.

Thank you and God bless you all.