The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, on Wednesday confronted the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, urging him to refrain from allegedly inciting the youth of the South-East against the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Umahi asserted that Obi does not represent the views of Ndigbo and therefore cannot speak for the people of South-East Nigeria.
Speaking at an Ebonyi State Youth and Stakeholders meeting held at the Christian Ecumenical Center in Abakaliki, the state capital, Umahi stated that the South-East Governors, traditional rulers, and the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo are the true representatives of Ndigbo, not Peter Obi.
“Let me make this clear: His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi does not speak for Ndigbo. Our Governors, Ohaneze Ndigbo, and our traditional rulers are our leaders; they speak for us. Let the enemies of Ndigbo hear this loud and clear: our governors and Ohaneze Ndigbo are the mouthpiece of Ndigbo.
“Let no one take the comments of one individual and use them to malign us. We are a very peaceful people. We will continue to support Mr. President. My advice to our brother is to reconsider his stance to avoid inciting some uninformed youths against the rule of law and endangering the peace of the nation.
“Whenever there is a protest, the economy of that nation suffers. The EndSARS protest did not yield anything constructive; instead, people gathered to engage with the government, and the issues raised were addressed.
“Protests do not produce results. It is when you make your grievances known in a constructive manner that they will be addressed. Let me emphasize that President Bola Tinubu is addressing all the grievances of the youths and the people,” Umahi stated.
Addressing the youths and stakeholders present, Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru, urged the youth of the state not to participate in the planned nationwide protests against hardship, assuring them that his administration is working diligently to address issues that will improve the lives of every Ebonyi citizen.
Governor Nwifuru pledged that his administration would always listen to the concerns of the state’s youth, ensuring that their demands, requests, and aspirations are met.
He urged Nigerians to be patient with President Tinubu, who is making efforts to tackle the various challenges facing the country, describing the fuel subsidy as a significant scam perpetrated by stakeholders in the oil industry, and commended the President for its removal.
“Let me be clear: those who were the primary beneficiaries of the fuel subsidy are the ones resisting the interests of Nigerian youths. However, with our support, President Bola Tinubu will undoubtedly overcome all those who oppose his administration,” the governor stated.
Other leaders of Ebonyi State who spoke out against the planned protest included former Senate President Pium Anyim Pium, former governor of the state Chief Martin Elechi, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), traditional rulers, and representatives from the Student Union bodies in the state.
