The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has appealed to Nigerians to shun going on any protest over the current economic hardship saying Nigeria is the giant of Africa and cannot be carrying placards and lining up the streets in protest like small African countries.
While speaking during plenary on Thursday, July 18, Kalu who admitted the economic hardship in the country however appealed to the citizenry to be patient with the federal government. He emphasized that the solution to the economic challenges of the country is not found in the protests but by supporting the policies of government.
“I rise to support this motion, all important, timely, reasonable, nation-building motion that is laid on this floor with an appeal. It’s only a man who is patriotic, believes in nation building that presents such motion. So, I thank you Honorable Isiaka for being sensitive as a leader in Nigeria. I know many of us here are sensitive. Many of the representatives here are passionate about our country. That was why we left all the things we are doing to come to be part of a government that will grow our nation.
We have a problem. It is not in doubt, Mr. speaker. There is no member here who disagrees with the point that there is a problem in Nigeria. But also there is no representative here who doesn’t believe that problems that we refer to did not just arise overnight. It is a compilation of years of difficulties that piled up.
There is an agreement in our mind also that one year is not enough to resolve hydra headed problems, and as a solution hub, what we are here to do is to find the best plug to fit into the hole that will soothe the pain of Nigerians. Nigeria is bleeding. We agree. We are also Nigerians.
So, I want to join in the prayers of this motion to speak to the people of Nigeria. Your crying is right. Your complaint of hardship is right. But is the solution found in carrying placard and lining the streets? Is the solution found in copying a country lesser than us? The references that are made today to Kenya and the rest of them; they are smaller countries to Nigeria. We are giant of Africa. We must proffer solution that is better and sustainable and lasting. That solution is not found in our children being killed on the street while protesting. It is not found in our raising placard. It is found in supporting the policies of government and understanding that these policies need time to begin to materialize.
Rome was not built in a day. In 360 days, the president of this country has not rested, has not gone on Jamboree, has not gone to pursue shadows. He has been deliberately, intentionally laying foundation for a nation that needs stability.”