Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, has joined other Nigerians to appeal to the organisers of the proposed nationwide hunger protest to shelve it.
Ekpemupolo, a chief in Ijaw land, while appealing yesterday in Warri, observed that the protest might cause more harm than good to the economy and security.
He said rather than embarking on protest, the prospective protesters could engage the government at all levels to find lasting solutions to the problems.
Ekpemupolo said while a protest is a sure way for the citizens to participate effectively in governance by checking government excesses, it can also halt progress.
He said he believed that with its abundant human and natural resources, the nation would overcome the current economic challenges.
Ekpemupolo, who also chairs Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), a private security outfit protecting the nation’s oil and gas assets, said Tinubu had proven to be courageous in his decisions.
Ekpemupolo said the hunger and hardship currently evident in the country did not start today. According to him, the president is working assiduously to revamp the economy with his well-thought-out policies and programmes.
He observed that things were getting better, especially in the oil and gas sector, under the Tinubu-led administration in the last one year.
… Don’t Attack Any Protester ––Lagos CP Tells Residents
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, has advised residents of the state against attacking protesters.
Fayoade gave the advice while addressing traditional rulers and community leaders in Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, Epe and Lagos Island local government areas during a town hall meeting yesterday
He said that although police and other security agencies had met and declared that there should not be any protest in Lagos State, the residents should not attack any group or groups that might come out to protest. The commissioner of police said that attacking them would mean taking laws into one’s hands. “If there must be protest, it must be peaceful. We want to know those who want to protest so that we can make arrangements for their security. It is your right to protest legitimately as long as it does not affect the rights of others.
The traditional ruler of Ijora/Apapa, Oba Abdulfatai Aromire, appealed to his subjects not to join in the planned protest.
All the traditional rulers and community leaders said that there should not be any protest in Lagos State. They commended the Commander of Area J Police Command, Mrs Yemisi Ojo, for efforts in tackling crime in the area.
They also praised the commissioner of police for neutralising nine kidnappers in Mushin and urged the police boss to check activities of land grabbers in their areas.
