Price Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State Governor, had on Sunday, said “frustrated politicians” are behind #EndBadGovernance protest which is currently gaining traction nationwide.
He asked youths to shun the planned protest and engage the government constructively with a view to finding solutions to the economic hardship in the land.
The governor spoke during the postgraduate convocation ceremonies of Babcock University, Ilishan, Ikenne Local Government Area.
He maintained that past protests have not yielded meaningful results and have instead led to losses in productivity, lives, and property.
Abiodun acknowledged the current economic challenges, including inflation, but emphasized that these issues are global and not unique to Nigeria.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this administration has initiated a lot of interventions to cushion the effect of inflation. Recently, we’ve heard the announcement of the minimum wage. We’ve had a lot of empowerment. Student loans are being put in place, Agric and fertilizer inputs are being given to our farmers.
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They have provided Food items as palliatives and subsidised prices, amongst others.
“This current wave of inflation is biting everywhere. It is in the UK, US, Ghana, and Egypt. So, it is not peculiar to Nigeria alone.
“Which investor will be attracted to a nation that is under siege by protesters? Please, do not allow yourselves to be used by a so-called leaderless movement, sponsored by frustrated politicians who tried in the past and lost. We do not need protests. We must not gamble with our anarchy. Please Let us have a dialogue,” he said.
However, in reaction to the governor’s message, one of the 160 graduating PhD students, 63-year-old Micheal Ajala who is also the president of the postgraduate class, urged the youths not to be silenced and rather speak up to call for good governance, especially at the state level.
He said: “This country is always shouting the name of our president, nobody is talking about the governors. We must query our governors and chairmen of councils, we must ask questions.
“We voted for them, they are responsible for us. Don’t stand on the sideline, be a true Nigeria. When you elect somebody to serve you, that person is supposed to be a servant”.
Mr. Ajala’s statement was received with standing ovation from the crowd.
The governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, was also present at the ceremony.