Kalu tasks youths to shun planned protest

ADC may join demonstration, accuses APC of insensitivity
Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has called on youths to shelve plans to hold a national protest, saying that although every Nigerian has a right to protest, such action will affect the economy immensely.

Kalu, a former Governor of Abia State and immediate past Chief Whip of the Senate, said: “While embarking on national protest may be beneficial to our democracy, it is not expedient to our economy.

“I am appealing to our youths to consider suspending the planned August protest to save possible damages and liabilities on the country’s infrastructure and private businesses.”

MEANWHILE, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has faulted the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government for being insensitive to realities on ground in the country.

According to the party, this is manifested in the high cost of vehicles, which the National Assembly reportedly bought for its members allegedly at about N180 million per unit.

The party indicated that it was yet to decide on participating in the scheduled national protest against economic hardship and misgovernance, among other complaints in the polity.

The National Chairman of the party, Dr. Ralphs Okey Nwosu, who said this in Umuahia, Abia State capital, yesterday, while commissioning its new state secretariat, also accused some politicians of criminalising the society through exhibition of wealth in the midst of prevailing poverty and hunger across the nation.

Nwosu described the current precarious scenario in the country as one that can make Nigeria ‘disappear’ but prayed God not to allow it to happen.

He added that ADC, being part of the people adversely impacted by misgovernance, may consider joining the impending nationwide peaceful protest to press for change.

He said: “The APC government operates a palliative economy. Nigeria is not used to building but ready made situations, which is against ADC’s disposition towards learning new ways of doing things, including how, when and where to train and equip the youths productively.”