29th July 2024
Senator Jibrin Barau, Deputy Senate President and first Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, has urged the organizers of the upcoming nationwide protest to reconsider their plans in order to maintain national peace. Barau emphasized that President Bola Tinubu is making earnest efforts to address the country’s issues.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Barau appealed to protest leaders to allow the government more time to implement its Renewed Hope Agenda, which outlines various socio-economic development initiatives. The nationwide demonstration is scheduled for August 1.
Barau highlighted that the current administration, since its inauguration on May 29, 2023, has been diligently working to restore the country’s progress and prosperity. He acknowledged that one year is insufficient to resolve longstanding challenges but assured that both short- and long-term measures are being developed to address these issues.
He also pointed to recent legislative actions, such as the signing of the North West and South East Development Commissions bills into law, as part of the government’s efforts to tackle regional challenges.
Drawing comparisons to past conflicts, Barau cautioned that what began as peaceful protests in countries like Syria, Yemen, Libya, and Sudan eventually escalated into violence and regression. He urged protest organizers to reflect on this history and consider the potential risks of their planned actions, including the possibility of the protest being hijacked.
“Exercise more patience and allow for more time. We will get it right. The efforts of the new Government will yield the desired results, by the grace of God,” Barau concluded.