THE Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) has pleaded with Nigerians to shun the nationwide protest against hardship slated for the first week of August.

At a closed-door meeting with members of the forum on Wednesday, July 25, the group’s chairman and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, admitted that the policies of President Bola Tinubu’s government had caused pains and economic hardship for the citizens.

He expressed confidence that the issues would be resolved by the government.

“We have looked at the various policies of this government, and we acknowledge a teething problem associated with the initial stage of the programme and agree that because we are very hopeful, it is also the solution to the current problem and economic hardship that has befallen our country.

“In a very short time, we are confident that the situation will be restored. Prosperity would come at the end of the day. We use this opportunity to advise our young boys and girls, young men and women, to desist from being instigated into causing crisis or chaos in the country, he said.

He blamed opposition parties for instigating attacks on Tinubu’s government and harped on patriotism among citizens.

“Already, Nigerians have suffered enough. The global economic recession, insecurity in Nigeria, political tension occasioned by instigations and campaigns of calumny by the opposition party, and social media attacks on various policies of the government.

“We want to advise for the interest of the country and a show of patriotism. Our citizens must take ownership of this country. We have no other country we can call our own. We took the opportunity also to agree to explain to the larger Nigerians that this government is doing well, he added.

Uzodinma further said that the body was committed to the country’s unity and doing whatever would make Nigerians live better lives.

He however stated that the governors were not aware of the motive behind the planned protest, and it was unwise for anyone or group to protest under whatever guise.

The ICIR reports that some Nigerians, along with a group led by former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, have been mobilising to start nationwide protests in the first week of August.

Reacting to the plans, President, Bola Tinubu asked Nigerians to shelve the protests.

He called on the citizens to await his administration’s response to all their demands.

The ICIR reported that the Nigerian military joined other state actors to threaten the protest organisers, warning that the Armed Forces would not stand by and allow anarchy to befall the nation.