Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has dismissed the stance of Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in last year’s general elections, regarding the proposed nationwide protest.
Between August 1 and 15, some youths plan to demonstrate against the escalating cost of living and economic hardship.
During a recent visit to Governor Otti at his country home in Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area, Obi expressed his support for the planned protest.
The former Anambra governor stated in an interview with Channels TV that citizens have a constitutional right to protest, citing hunger and hopelessness as driving factors for the agitation. However, he stressed that protests should remain lawful.
In response, Otti, the only governor from the Labour Party, challenged Obi’s view, asserting that the governance issues currently plaguing the people began long before the present administration.
He underscored the necessity of obtaining police approval for any protest, noting that organizing a demonstration without such consent is illegal.
Otti remarked, “It would be disingenuous to claim that times are not tough right now. While it is true that we face significant challenges, we must consider how to address them. The economic difficulties we endure are a consequence of longstanding poor governance.
“Initially, the law requires that anyone organizing a protest secures approval from security agencies, especially the police. It is essential to designate someone to take responsibility for obtaining that approval.
“Without it, any attempt to protest would violate the law. I urge people to reflect on the consequences of taking to the streets, as it may restrict movement for others and exacerbate their hardships.
“To the people of Abia, my advice is to refrain from protesting in the streets, as it may ultimately cause more harm than the issues we are aiming to address.”
