A former two-term Lagos lawmaker, Jude Idimogu, has urged Nigerian youths not to set the country on fire with the proposed nationwide protest.

Mr Idimogu, who represented Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II in the Lagos House of Assembly, made the appeal in an interview on Thursday in Lagos.

The lawmaker, also deputy apex leader of Ndigbo in Lagos APC, said Nigerian youths must avert destructive protest and give President Bola Tinubu more time to reposition the economy.

According to him, the youth need to toe the path of dialogue rather than any protest that the nation’s enemies can hijack.

“I want all of us to be patriotic, no matter how it is. We know President Bola Tinubu’s background as someone who has also suffered before getting to the office. He feels the pains of Nigerians.

“The President knows Nigerians are suffering, and he is working hard to end the suffering. I want to appeal to you to please save this nation. Let this nation not go on fire. I am begging the Nigerian youths in particular, let us not use our hands to destroy our country,” he said.

Mr Idimogu called on Nigerians to unite to improve the nation’s economy.

“Though tribes and tongues may differ, but in brotherhood, we stand. This country belongs to us because we don’t have any other place that is ours. Others may have destroyed their country, but we must not follow in their footsteps.

“Yet, protest is our right, but you can use other channels to meet with the government and express your opinion,” the politician said.

Mr Idimogu urged the 36 state governors to support the federal government’s efforts in alleviating the people’s challenges at the grassroots level.

“Yes, we know that there is hunger in the land. All the 36 state governors should make a U-turn and be more patriotic to this country because the citizens are not smiling.

“We are aware of hunger, but we cannot let our country go on fire. I want to appeal to the youths to take it easy. We have the responsibility to save this country,” Mr Idimogu added.

There have been reports of disgruntled Nigerians planning a nationwide protest from August 1 over the rising cost of living and economic hardships. 

(NAN)