Mr. Jude Idimogu, a former two-term Lagos lawmaker, has called on Nigerian youths to reconsider their planned nationwide protest, emphasizing the need for dialogue and patience. Idimogu, who represented Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly and currently serves as the Deputy Apex Leader of Ndigbo in Lagos State APC, made this appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
The lawmaker urged the youth to avoid destructive protests that could be hijacked by malicious actors and instead give President Bola Tinubu more time to address the country’s economic challenges. “I want all of us to be patriotic, no matter how it is. We know President Bola Tinubu’s background as someone who has also suffered before getting to the office. He feels the pains of Nigerians,” Idimogu stated.
He stressed the importance of unity and constructive engagement, encouraging Nigerians to use peaceful means to communicate their grievances. “Though tribes and tongues may differ but in brotherhood we stand. This country belongs to us because we don’t have any other place that is ours. Others may have destroyed their country but we must not follow their footsteps,” he said.
Idimogu also called on the 36 state governors to support federal efforts to alleviate the economic hardships faced by citizens, particularly at the grassroots level. “We know that there is hunger in the land, all the 36 state governors should make a u-turn and be more patriotic to this country, because the citizens are not smiling,” he added.
The appeal comes in response to reports that various groups are planning a nationwide protest from August 1 to August 10 to address the rising cost of living and economic hardships. Idimogu emphasized the potential risks of such protests and urged the youth to consider the long-term impact on the nation. “We are aware of hunger, but we cannot let our country go on fire. I want to appeal to the youths to take it easy. We have the responsibility to save this country,” he concluded.