Shelve planned protest, Tinubu working hard to revamp economy – Tompolo

Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has appealed to the organisers of the planned nationwide protest to shelve the action as President Bola Tinubu is doing everything possible to revamp the economy.

While conceding to citizens’ right to protest, Tompolo noted that the ongoing hardship in the country did not start from the Tinubu-led administration, stating that it was long in the making.

“I wish to add my voice to all well-meaning Nigerians, including our revered traditional rulers, on the call to shelve the proposed hardship protest billed to start on August 1, 2024.

“It is true that there is hunger and hardship in the country. However, it must be pointed out that hunger and hardship did not start today.

“President Tinubu is working hard to revamp the economy with well-thought-out policies and programmes in addressing the issues of the economy and security, which are the basis of other problems in the country.

“I am aware of Mr. President’s efforts to get things right in the country, and truly things are getting better. For instance, there has been a great improvement in the oil and gas sector in the last year, which is still the main source of our economy.

“I am aware of the right of the citizenry to protest government policies and programmes in any country. It is one sure way for the citizens to participate effectively in governance, by checking the excesses of any government.

“However, the organisers must know that the timing is wrong; the protest may cause more harm than good, as security reports have indicated that the protest will be hijacked by unscrupulous elements.”

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Tompolo said he has joined other patriotic Nigerians to appeal to prospective protesters to call off the proposed protest and engage governments at all levels to find lasting solutions to the country’s problems.

He noted that the threat of protest only has achieved its aim, as the President has said loud and clear, that he has heard the voices of prospective protesters and that it is better to jaw-jaw than to war-war.