Onoh declined to point fingers or look for scapegoats, saying instead that it is critical to understand that the economy was already in a “Intensive care unit (ICU)” when it was handed over to the Tinubu administration.
Denge Josef Onoh, the current chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly and the former spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu’s South East, has appealed with Nigerians organizing nationwide protests to extend President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s time to address the issues that are driving the planned hardship protests.
Onoh declined to point fingers or look for scapegoats, saying instead that it is critical to understand that the economy was already in a “Intensive care unit (ICU)” when it was handed over to the Tinubu administration.
“Tinubu chose to take on the entire burden as he requested the position. Onoh pleaded, “I beg Nigerians to give him time.”
He stated that while peaceful protest is the right of every Nigerian, citizens should not forget that frequency of protest varies, noting that most protests in Nigeria have always been hijacked by criminal elements who have taken advantage of the freedom of expression even when the government tolerated them yet it resulted to destruction of public, private and assets while ushering more economic hardship on Nigerians.
“The President will never abuse the rights of any Nigerian whom he has sworn an oath to protect, rather the major problem with the planned protest which raises serious cause of concern is first, when there are no gatekeepers to constrain participants, the mean level of protest experience diminishes, which in turn increases the likelihood that inexperienced protesters may turn to violence when confronted by the state.
“Secondly, protests without gatekeepers likely attract violence- oriented individuals of which Endsars is a living testament. I’ve always held the opinion that some protests are not representative of public opinion,
“I don’t know that you can measure public opinion just by the number of people that turn up at demonstrations. As much as the protesters claim their August 1-10th protest will be nonviolent activism which will definitely produce favorable media coverage and changes in public opinion focusing on the issues organizers were raising but they forgot about the economic hardship, the protest will add upon the masses they claim they have their best interest.
“It’s important to note that protesters that decide to carry placards boldly written #Tinubumustgo. Can only be taken as agents of destabilization with the sole purpose of causing unrest as one cannot remove a democratically elected government through such methods which will generate unfavorable media coverage that will definitely generate public desire and our security agencies to restore law and order.
“One cannot expect a country without critical opposition. The President have heard the voice of Nigerians, even the Labour union placed their demands on the table and gave time for all parties to consider and take proactive measures. I urge my fellow Nigerians to give the president time, irrespective of political, social, ethnic and religious differences.
“It’s imperative to remember that Nigeria belongs to all of us, we can’t destroy our nation because in doing so we also destroy ourselves, our future and that of our future generations. President Tinubu has come to terms with the prevailing realities and he’s addressing the situation pragmatically.
“Mr. President has ceaselessly appealed to the planners of the proposed protest to shelve the idea and give his government more time for its reforms to take shape and I have always and still believe in him. Things are hard but let’s not by acts of protest make things harder. Even Mr. President himself once engaged in peaceful protests without resorting to the destruction of property.
“Nigerians have worked hard to ensure 25 years of unbroken democracy and it’s our collective responsibility to continue to maintain this democracy. Let’s work together to build our nation rather than place all the blames on the government,” Onoh pleaded.