The Lagos State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has enjoined Nigerians to let peace reign ahead of the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1.
The party in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo said while a peaceful protest is part of democracy, the violence and loss of lives associated with it is not desirable for the nation
The full statement reads “The Lagos State Chapter of All Progressives Congress wishes to lend its voice to the appeal of several well meaning Nigerians to all and sundry to let peace reign in our land at this critical time of our history.
“While we acknowledge peaceful protests as an integral component of democratic governance, the predictable attendant violence and loss of lives and property remain undesirable.
In the past days, we have watched with keen interest, most especially, in the social media, the mobilization for the protest , laced with bitterness, hate speeches, hostility divisiveness and threats to citizens with contrary opinions”.
“The mass destruction of public and private assets during the #EndSARS protest which started as a harmless demonstration remains fresh in our memory.
The loss of targeted critical infrastructure across various sectors set our dear state back by decades and in billions”.
“We urge the government at the federal, state and local levels to remain sensitive , attentive, receptive and responsible to the yearnings of our terming population, most especially the youth, in order to continue to engender confidence and uphold its onerous constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and property of all and sundry”.
“We are not unmindful of the political undertones with the otherwise moribund opposition fanning the embers of blood letting to soothe their bruised ego as a result of losing the last national elections”.
“We take solace in the assurance that patriotic Nigerians will not be deceived into avoidable carnage by people with ulterior motives.
We also appeal to the security agencies to uphold the best professional standards to forestall any unpleasant development”.
“We, as a party, will are duty bound to fulfill our part of the social contract with the citizens who have graciously entrusted us with the mandate”.