By Kelechi Opara
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday reacted to the pockets of protests in some Nigerian towns by blaming the opposition political parties of instigating the protests which were carried by some Nigerians following the rising cost of living as well as heightening spare of insecurity.
There were reports of protests in Niger, Osun, Kano and Oyo states in the past days, but the APC say they were prearranged and sponsored by the opposition.
In a statement, the National Publicity Secretary (NPS) of the APC, Barr. Felix Morka said the protests were desperate effort by the opposition to portray the APC administration as incompetent and underperforming.
“In its arrant desperation to portray the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration as under-performing, opposition parties have resorted to instigating unsuspecting young people to protests in the streets of some major cities.
“The protests in Minna and Kano on Monday were the manifestation of this devious and unpatriotic plot. That the protests happened simultaneously in both cities is not coincidental. It bears a bold stamp of an orchestrated and coordinated effort to instigate unrest and undermine the government. This mercenary opposition tactic is a clear and present threat to public peace and national security.
“While we recognize the right of citizens to engage in peaceful protest, we urge our good people to be vigilant and not lend themselves to the treacherous attempt by the opposition to promote social strife by its incendiary rhetoric and manipulative plot”.
Morka added that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is well focuses it its quest to ensure that it mitigates the pains and suffering of Nigerians.
He said that very soon, the economic reforms of the government will begin to impact positively on the people.
“The President Bola Tinubu-led administration is solidly committed to doing everything in its power to mitigate the transient pains of critically important reforms that are crucial to economic recovery and sustainable prosperity for all Nigerians. It behoves us as good citizens of our beloved country to stand fast with our government in this noble stride. In due time, these policy reforms will yield enduring beneficial transformation of the material conditions of life in the country”.
The party further implored Nigerians to shun those it described as the ‘guile and unpatriotic’ attempt by opposition elements to destabilize the country for their own base and parochial political gains.
