DELTA State Governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, on Tuesday, July 30, appealed to Nigerians, particularly those behind the planned August 1 to 10 protests, to shelve the idea, saying such would rather aggravate the country’s challenges.
Oborevwori stated that government was addressing the issues raised by the organisers, maintaining that protests would not solve the challenges, considering the outcome of previous protests that were hijacked by hoodlums.
In the same vein, the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said: “When we say we are doing protest, most cases, we say we are doing it for the common man, but we must also do it in such a way that the interest of the common man is also protected.
“Antecedents have shown that miscreants tend to hijack the process, and so we are a bit worried that it might go the way that many people will not be comfortable with and that miscreants might see it as an opportunity to loot shops and break into the homes of the common people under the pretence of protest.
Speaking when Okoh and his delegation visited him at Government House, Asaba, the governor said: “Few days ago, I read your press statement on this protest. I was very happy and your coming here today is an opportunity for you to talk to other fathers of faith in this state to continue to put this state and the country in prayers.
“We know it is a very hard time, but our belief is that any time our people go to the streets to protest, the outcome is always different.
“We know all the demands and requests of the protesters. We are doing our best to make sure that our people are taken care of. So, protest is not the solution at this time.
“You have reason to protest, but can you manage the protest? We have seen it in the past, we know what happened and how it ended. People were robbed and attacked.
“We have listened to your cry and we are doing our best. The solution is that we have to be more united and peaceful to see how we can move the state from the level it is today to a higher level. I believe we will achieve it.
“So your coming is a blessing, because you need to talk to our people. There are people who are already planning to hijack the process. You have a big role to play in these few days you will stay here and I know that this state will continue to enjoy peace.”
Earlier, Okoh applauded Oborevwori for his administration’s commitment to rapid infrastructural development of the state through rehabilitation of roads and construction of new ones, adding: “We commend your untiring efforts in maintaining peace and tranquility in Delta State. It is an incontrovertible fact that peace is an indispensable factor in accelerating development and attracting investments and this you have done with passion.”
Okoh informed the governor of an upcoming event of great physical and spiritual importance, called ‘Africa Sings,’ an international choral music festival and singing competition billed to take place in Asaba between October 8 and October 13.
He urged sponsors of the protest to explore other means of expressing their dissatisfaction with what is going on in the country, even as he charged government to come out very clearly with policies and actions that will reassure the common man that it is sincerely committed to improving the living conditions of the people.
The cleric added: “People who are in government should try as much as possible to reduce their opulence lifestyle in the midst of poverty.”
