Amidst palpable social tensions and growing frustration among young citizens, Governor Otti of Abia State, Nigeria, has expressed concern over the possibility of violence during the protests and the potential impact on the vulnerable and weak.
In a statewide address on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, Otti called on residents to exercise restraint and urged the youth to use peaceful means to express their frustration, despite the mixed results of President Bola Tinubu’s policies. Recognizing the right of Nigerians to protest, he, however, expressed fears that opportunists and hoodlums could hijack the protests to wreak havoc.
“Some of the economic policies of the Federal Government, such as the removal of fuel subsidy, may not have yielded the desired results yet, but I encourage our youth to use peaceful means to express their grievances instead of resorting to violence,” Otti said.
The Governor then called on the youth of Abia to exercise restraint, stressing that the state is not known for acts of violence. He stressed the critical need for peace and sustainable development, saying, “What Abians need now is a strong sense of peace and sustained development, not chaos.”
He also highlighted the significant investments made by his administration in infrastructure in Aba and Umuahia, stressing the importance of protecting these achievements from those seeking to hijack the protests to cause trouble. Otti also reassured state officials by confirming the payment of the current year’s salary bonus, pledging to honor other commitments made by his administration.
Governor Otti’s strong stance on the recent protests follows his opposition to Peter Obi’s statements in support of the protests last weekend.