The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) chairman, Adedayo Adeyeye, has appealed to Nigerians to shelve the national protest scheduled to commence on August 1 and support President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Mr Adeyeye told journalists on Saturday in Ibadan that the planned protest would bring untold hardship, given the current situation in the country.

He expressed concern that hoodlums and miscreants could hijack the protest, undermining the organisers’ good intentions.

“The fear that we have is that hoodlums, miscreants, and evil people will hijack the protest, turn it violent, and bring untold hardship on innocent people,” he said.

Mr Adeyeye, who doubles as the chairman of the South West Agenda for Asiwaju, expressed confidence that Mr Tinubu’s economic policies would benefit Nigerians in the long run.

“I appeal to Nigerians to be patient, exercise restraint, and give the government more room to operate.

“I am confident that the president’s economic policies will ultimately yield fruitful dividends for the people of this country.

“The president has proven to be a listening leader who understands the struggles of Nigerians,” he added.

The former minister praised the president’s achievements since assuming office, highlighting efforts to lift Nigeria from its current challenges.

Mr Adeyeye listed achievements such as the students’ loan programme, local government autonomy, security re-engineering, and palliatives distribution.

He said the ongoing reforms of the federal government would return the country to the path of progress and prosperity.

Mr Adeyeye also commended the federal government for the regular distribution of palliatives, urging the involvement of reputable associations in the process.

He explained that involving such groups would ensure palliatives reach the targeted grassroots people.

(NAN)