Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, has urged politicians to guard against utterances that could incite Nigerians into violent protest against the government.

Mr Oyintiloye said any politicians hiding under the current temporary hardship in the country to incite the masses against the constituted authorities should be regarded as an enemy of the country.

“I will strongly advise those politicians who are calling people to protest against the government to desist or be ready to face the law,” the APC chieftain said while speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, Osun State capital.

Mr Oyintiloye’s remarks followed former Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi’s comments asking Nigerians to protest the hardship occasioned by President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies.

The APC chieftain said that what Mr Tinubu needed at this period was prayers and the support of all Nigerians to enable him to stabilise the economy for the benefit of the masses.

He said the current economic challenges required an understanding and collaborative approach towards finding lasting solutions, not comments that could lead to public unrest.

Mr Oyintiloye noted that the president was doing everything possible to turn the economy around, and it would amount to being unpatriotic for anyone, no matter how highly placed, to incite the masses into a protest.

He called on the security agencies to be alert and ensure that anyone attempting to incite the masses to cause havoc is made to face the law.

“There is no doubt that the economy is not in its best shape, but this is just temporary. The president is working assiduously to ensure that the economy is brought back to shape for Nigerians to enjoy.

“While we are waiting for that, I do not think inciting the masses against the government is the best way to go,” he said.

Mr Oyintiloye appealed to Nigerians to be patient, adding that the effect of some government policies may be harsh at the moment, predicting that the outcome would be better for all.

(NAN)