Opposition parties instigating unrest through protest in Niger, says APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused opposition parties of instigating protests to undermine the Bola Tinubu administration. 

On Monday, some residents of Minna, Niger state capital, blocked major roads in the city to protest the rising cost of living in  the country.

There was also a protest in Kano state over the economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians.

Reacting to the situation on Tuesday, the APC, in a statement by Felix Morka, its spokesperson, said the protests were a plot to instigate unrest in the country.

“In its arrant desperation to portray the All Progressives Congress (APC)- led administration as under-performing, opposition parties have resorted to instigating unsuspecting young people to protests in the streets of some major cities,” APC said.

“The protests in Minna and Kano on Monday were the manifestation of this devious and unpatriotic plot.

“That the protests happened simultaneously in both cities is not coincidental. It bears a bold stamp of an orchestrated and coordinated effort to instigate unrest and undermine the government.

“This mercenary opposition tactic is a clear and present threat to public peace and national security.

“While we recognize the right of citizens to engage in peaceful protest, we urge our good people to be vigilant and not lend themselves to the treacherous attempt by the opposition to promote social strife by its incendiary rhetoric and manipulative plots.”

The party added that the current administration is committed to mitigating “the transient pains” caused by the government’s reforms.

The APC noted that the reforms are crucial to economic recovery and sustainable prosperity for Nigerians.

“It behoves us as good citizens of our beloved country to stand fast with our government in this noble stride. In due time, these policy reforms will yield enduring beneficial transformation of the material conditions of life in the country,” the party said.

The APC urged Nigerians to shun the “unpatriotic attempt” by opposition elements to destabilize the country “for their own base and parochial political gains”.