The Progressives Governors Forum has appealed to Nigerians to shelve the planned nationwide protest against President Bola Tinubu-led government slated for August 1 to August 10.

The forum is a partisan organisation for the All Progressive Congress with the mandate to drive policy suggestions and harmonise the activities of the progressive governors with the policies towards achieving a socio-democratic state.

Chairman of the Forum and Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, made the appeal after a closed-door meeting with the governors in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said that it was unwise at this moment in the country for any demonstration by any group.

Mr Uzodimma said people were supporting or instigating groups of people to protest, adding “we don’t know what they are protesting for.’’

“We think it is not wise at this moment for any demonstration by any group of persons be it in whatever guise. This is so that we can manage the challenge of insecurity, the challenge of national minimum wage, the challenge of food security and then the struggle to come out of the current economic recession. We are using this opportunity to also advise our young boys and girls to desist from being instigated into causing crisis or chaos in the country.

“Already, Nigerians have suffered a lot; the global economic recession, the insecurity in Nigeria, the political tension occasioned by instigations and campaign of calumny by opposition parties, the social media attacks on various policies of the government. We want to advise for the interest of the country and as a show of patriotism, our citizens must take ownership of this country because we have no other country we can call our own outside Nigeria”

Mr Uzodimma said, “We invite all of them to sit down with us in a room so we can discuss and agree on the issues, what they are and proffer solutions. We, as a body, are committed to the unity of the country. We are committed to whatever thing that makes Nigerians live better lives, bring prosperity, jobs to be created for young boys and girls who graduated, and to be employed.”

He said that the progressives were among other things committed to the support of President Tinubu.

He stated, “We remain committed to the support we are giving President Bola Tinubu, our President and the leader of our party and we are in support of all his policies; economic policies and all the reforms he has embarked on.”

Mr Uzodimma also appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the government, noting that efforts were underway to ameliorate the economic hardship experienced in the country.

(NAN)