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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has appealed to organisers of the planned August 1 nationwide protest against hardship across Nigeria, to exercise their right to demonstrate peacefully, emphasising that violent actions could impede the nation’s development.

Akpabio’s call for peace came on the heels of the recent signing of the National Minimum Wage Bill into law, which establishes a new minimum wage of N70,000.

Akpabio, in an interview with State House correspondents on Monday after President Bola Tinubu signed the new minimum wage Bill, warned the organisers against allowing themselves to be misled by individuals with political agendas, particularly those who lost out in the 2023 elections.

He emphasised that destruction of property would only lead to unnecessary rebuilding costs, and diverting funds from development projects.

The Senate President acknowledged the country’s challenges, including years of insecurity, but expressed optimism in the current administration’s efforts to address them.

He highlighted measures to ensure food availability and waivers on imports.

Akpabio urged Nigerian youth to reject anarchy and work towards developing themselves and their communities, rather than engaging in destructive activities.

“I want to use this opportunity to call on those who are attempting to foment trouble that you have a right to protest, it’s your fundamental right, it’s there in the Constitution, but you don’t have a right to destabilise the country. The right to protest should not be turned into a right to unleash violence.

“Where we are today was not caused by one year’s administration, it is the outcome of years of insecurity. Many people could not go to farm for almost 10 years and all that and the President has risen to the occasion.

“Every food item that is coming in now will come in without anything like restriction, there is no restriction, bringing in food because Nigerians need to eat and at the same time, most things are coming in with a lot of waivers.

“So for me, I’m excited that yes, indeed the government is doing what it should and we the leaders in the National Assembly, we are touching our various constituencies.

“So my appeal to the Nigerian youth is do not allow any group to mislead you politically, (by) people who probably did not have their fortunes in 2023 election and thinking they can come in through the backdoor. That will amount to anarchy.

“Any destruction of any property will cost money and we don’t have the money. Instead, let’s put the money in developing you and developing your environs instead of going to rebuild,” the Senate President stated.