By Victor Nwegede
Ebonyi residents on August 1st, shun the planned nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance in the country.
Recall the Ebonyi State government yesterday held the youths and stakeholders summit to disabuse the minds of the residents of the state from taking to the streets to stage protests against bad governance in the country.
A check on Ebonyi International Market and other business quarters, the traders were busy with their economic activities in the state.
Also, there was human and vehicular movement as the government ministries, departments and agencies were opened and functional in the state.
Banks, churches, hotels and event centres were also functional in the state.
In an interview, the Chairman of Lot One in Ebonyi State International Market, Jeremiah Ikporo, said, the traders and other residents of the state decided to boycott the hunger protest because of the good leadership style of Governor Nwifuru since he assumed office.
He added that the negative effects of the 2020 EndSARs protest were one of the major factors which discouraged the residents of the state, especially the traders from participating in the protest.
The State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon Oguzor Offia Nwali and the Special Assistant to the State Governor on Petroleum, John Nwafor said Governor Nwifuru as a youth-friendly leader has made the young people proud through his all-inclusive governance, and empowerment programs, saying that the Ebonyi youths have no reason to protest against bad leadership in the state.
Traders including Ignatius Ikemba, Uche Mbam, and Ukamaka Chibueze, among others said apart from complementing the excellent leadership efforts of Governor Nwifuru, embarking on hunger protests would worsen the economic situation of the nation.
Our sources recommended dialogue with the government in power instead of embarking on hunger protests as the best option, considering the negative effects it might incur on the citizens.
Victor Nwegede
