Obaseki Empathises With Nigerians Over Hardship, Calls For Alternative To Protests

The governor reassured that the state government has mobilised security agencies to be on high alert and ensure that law and order are maintained.

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has empathised with Nigerians over the pervading hardship and difficulties that they have had to endure particularly over the last year arising from various policies that have been implemented by the Federal Government.

Obaseki in an address on Wednesday, ahead of the planned nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests by citizens to express displeasure over the difficult living conditions, urged the organizers of the protest to consider adopting other forms of protests outside marching and processions on the streets.

The governor who reassured that the state government has mobilised security agencies to be on high alert and ensure that law and order are maintained and provide protection for genuine protesters, disclosed that some people within the political space are plotting to use the excuse of the protest to cause disruptions and also destroy public infrastructure.

“Our intelligence reveals that plans have been perfected to infiltrate the planned protest matches to cause wanton destruction of lives and property. Armed thugs and some cult groups have been procured and mobilized to attack and burn public buildings and offices, including the Secretariat Complex in Benin City and several newly renovated schools and healthcare centers in several parts of the state,” he said.

“Their motive is to settle political scores ahead of the September 2024 gubernatorial elections. We have taken this intelligence very seriously in the light of the massive mobilization of thugs on the 18th of July 2024 in Benin airport and the rampant shooting which led to the death of a police officer.”

Obaseki noted, “My dear good people of Edo State, it has become necessary to address you in the light of the palpable tension and agitation across the country in the wake of the calls for #EndBadGovernance protests by the citizenry.

“This protest is obviously the result of the difficult living conditions which Nigerians have had to endure particularly over the last year, arising from various policies that have been implemented by the Federal Government.

“These policies have taken a severe toll on citizens who have had to endure astronomic high food prices, high transportation costs, galloping inflation, and loss of operating capital by small business owners across the country.

“It has become evident that a lot of the policy measures undertaken were not properly thought through, leading to adverse consequences that have now put our people in dire straits.”

He continued: “As your governor, I have been very critical of the poor fiscal and monetary policy management by the federal government, which has led to this unfortunate situation. You may recall how last year, I expressed disappointment over how fuel subsidy was removed without proper planning which has now led millions of Nigerians into extreme poverty and untold hardship.

“The decision on exchange rate unification by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) exacerbated the cost of living and low-capacity utilization in the productive sector, resulting in high cost of goods and services. With the move, the Naira significantly lost its value, without strategically thinking of how to cushion the resultant difficulties.

“With the worsening security situation across the country, many farmers have been displaced and cannot produce sufficient food, which has been largely responsible for high food prices. Insecurity and rampant corruption have affected our ability to produce sufficient crude oil even to meet our OPEC quota. The current average production of 1.3 million barrels per day, cannot earn enough foreign exchange to meet the current needs of Nigeria.

“In Edo State, we have taken several actions within our constitutional authority to reduce the suffering and hardship of our people by showing empathy and supporting our people to weather and survive this trying time despite the challenges witnessed across the nation.

“Some of these measures include raising the minimum wage for workers to N70,000 to boost their purchasing power – the first state in the country to do so. We also introduced a free transport scheme along the routes operated by the Edo City Transport Service (ECTS). We extended free Wi-Fi services to public spaces to help citizens telecommute and kick-started a state-wide feeding for the vulnerable, implemented in partnership with Christian and Muslim institutions.

“Even though these well-intended measures yielded positive results and brought some relief, we are aware that our people are still burdened by the worsening prevailing macroeconomic conditions in the country.

“In the light of these pervading challenges and difficulties, it is not surprising that some groups have decided to spearhead protests to call attention to the deteriorating and difficult socio-economic circumstances faced by Nigerians including citizens of Edo State. Edo people have the right to express their displeasure with their current living conditions through protests, which is a fundamental human right, but we appeal that this should be done without disrupting public peace and destroying the property of other citizens.”

Governor Obaseki said, “We, however, have it on good authority that some people within the political space are plotting to use the excuse of the protest to cause disruptions and also destroy public infrastructure. Our intelligence reveals that plans have been perfected to infiltrate the planned protest matches to cause wanton destruction of lives and property. Armed thugs and some cult groups have been procured and mobilized to attack and burn public buildings and offices, including the Secretariat Complex in Benin City and several newly renovated schools and healthcare centers in several parts of the state.

“Their motive is to settle political scores ahead of the September 2024 gubernatorial elections. We have taken this intelligence very seriously in the light of the massive mobilization of thugs on the 18th of July 2024 in Benin airport and the rampant shooting which led to the death of a police officer.

“I want to use this opportunity to call on the organizers of this protest to consider adopting other forms of protests outside marching and processions on the streets. I am calling on members of the public to be vigilant and not allow miscreants to hijack the peaceful protests to actualize their devious plans to loot shops and markets and cause mayhem in our dear State.

“I have mobilized security agencies in the State to be on high alert and ensure that law and order are maintained and provide protection for genuine protesters who must follow the law and ensure that they carry out their protest in a peaceful and orderly manner.

“Let me use this broadcast to warn all those who want to use the protest as a pretext to destroy and attack business premises and public infrastructure in pursuit of their obnoxious political objectives that the Government would bring the full weight of the law on them and spare no resources in bringing them to justice.”

Obaseki charged, “I enjoin all law-abiding citizens to go about their lawful businesses without fear, as the government remains committed to protecting lives and property and will continue to work for the growth and progress of our dear State.”