Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has kicked against the nationwide protests scheduled to kickstart on August 1, 2024, saying that those behind the exercise were bent on destabilising the country.
Governor Sanwo-Olu affirmed that the 10 days set aside for the protest, l can never solve the challenges facing the country, but rather bring setbacks to the country, warning that the protest can be infiltrated by those who are bent on destabilising the country, leading to destruction of government properties.
The governor gave this position at press conference, which held in his office at Lagos House, Ikeja, on Wednesday, pointing out that the experience of #EndSARS protest was still fresh in the memory of Lagosians when government properties worth billions of Naira were destroyed.
Sanwo-Olu, while noting that Lagos had always been a beacon of hope, a city of resilience and a melting port of the country’s diverse cultures, stated that the original proponents of the protest may have noble intention, but quickly said that “some of the narratives it has occasioned about its instrumentality for change of government by another means other than the one constitutionally provided for are disturbing.”
The governor admitted that there were challenges which he said government was working at addressing, maintaining that it was wrong to conclude that going on protest would solve the problem on the ground.
“It is pertinent to ask, is protest the practical catalyst for progress the nation requires at this time? Will such a protest suddenly ensure that all of our challenges disappear in 10 days? Will the protest suddenly ensure the prices of food stuff drop by the 11th day? Will shutting down the economy for 10 days inspire economic growth we earnestly desire?” Governor Sanwo-Olu queried.
“I hold the strong view that a protest at this time will do none of these things for us as a nation. Rather, it would roll back the modest gains that we have made in various facets of our socio-economic life as a people.
“Yes. So much is being done in many sectors to alleviate the pains of the people and prepare the path to lasting prosperity,” the governor said.
He, however, explained that quick fixes options to the problems on ground were not available, saying that in trying to solve some of the problems, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the new minimum wage into law this week and from today (Wednesday) Students Loans are being disbursed to indigent students to relieve indigent parents and students of the financial burden of getting tertiary education.”
Besides, he said that as part of the promised devolution of power, Local Governments across the country had been granted financial autonomy to guarantee efficiency of that tier of government and bring governance closer to the people.
Sanwo-Olu stated that, his administration, at Lagos State level, hasy introduced many palliative measures to relieve people of the state the burden of hardship experienced as a result of removal of the fuel subsidy.
“As a State, we are not unaware of the effects of the economic reforms on our people. To cushion the effect, you would recall we launched the EKOCARES, our bespoke social protection initiative.
“Under this programme, we introduced the popular Sunday Discount Markets where residents bought basic foodstuff at 25% discount rate across the State,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu insisted that the protest was uncalled for in view of efforts made by the Federal Government and various state governments to cushion the effect of the hardship experienced.
“Why then should there be a protest? All that we require now is to be patient for the benefits of the economic recovery policies to blossom.
“Protests can never achieve in 10 days what carefully crafted economic reforms can achieve in a matter of weeks and months. More than ever before, our nation is blessed with a courageous leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).
“Let me assure you that, Nigeria is headed in the right direction and the benefits of these hard reforms will percolate,” Sanwo-olu assured.
