Atedo Peterside to youths: End protests today — poor Nigerians can’t endure more days of demonstration

Atedo Peterside, founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank and Anap Foundation, has appealed to youths to suspend the #EndBadGovernance protest today.

In a statement on Sunday, Peterside said poor Nigerians cannot “endure protests for more than a few days”.

He added that the protesters have made their point and that their “massive turnout has frightened many people”.

“You have shaken Nigeria to the core and dispelled the falsehood that many of our youths are not politically active and/or do not care to demand good governance,” Peterside wrote on Twitter.

“I beg you in the name of God to please call off the protest now. In the aftermath of #EndSars, I explained that any mass street action that goes on for more than a few days will be infiltrated and overtaken by hoodlums.

“Please end the protests today (Sunday). Poor Nigerians cannot endure protests for more than a few days. You have made your point. Your massive turnout has frightened many people. FG is not deaf.

“The President has spoken this morning. Perhaps even the Legislators have heard you also.

“If they collectively fail to significantly reduce the cost of governance, stop wasteful expenditures and tighten their own belts or lead by example, please then re-strategise, regroup and call them to order again.”

On Thursday, marches against the pervasive economic hardship in Nigeria kicked off across the country.

The protest has been marred by violence, looting, and destruction of public facilities in some parts of the country.

In a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, President Bola Tinubu urged the protesters to shelve the demonstrations, adding that he has heard the youths “loud and clear”.