The Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti has urged the youths involved in the planned nationwide protest on August 1 to exercise self restraints and resist temptation that may cause disharmony in the state.
The governor during a public broadcast to Abians on Tuesday, argued that there is no need for protest with the prevailing peace and the unprecedented achievements recorded in the areas of infrastructure and well-being of Abians.
Futhermore, he called on parents, religious leaders, and traditional rulers to prevail on their children to shun acts that could jeopardize the prevailing peace in the state.
The governor also admonished the youths to adopt other alternatives to demonstrations and protests, including setting realistic timeline for the attainment of their demands and assured that the federal government has adopted measures that will address these inherited rots.
Acknowledging the hardship currently ravaging the land and the right of the youths to protest, Otti said: “I urge Abia youths to exercise self-restraints and engage their leaders with a charter of demands with a realistic deadline”.
He stressed the determination of the state government to protection of lives and properties of the citizens, pointing out that violence has never been an option rather dialogue.
It would be recalled that the Abia governor on Sunday advised those planning to organise the nationwide protest to get police approval.
Otti spoke when Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, visited him at his country home in Nvosi, Isialangwa south LGA of Abia.