Protests against economic hardship need no instigation, PRP tells APC

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has told the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop playing the blame game.

On Monday, protests over the rising cost of living and food inflation, disrupted commercial activities and compounded traffic in Kano and Niger states.

Thereafter, Felix Morka, spokesperson of the APC, accused opposition political parties of sponsoring the protests.

The PRP, in a statement by Muhammed Ishaq, national publicity secretary of the party, said protests against hardship are often organic.

The PRP said it is “disheartening to see the APC resort to baseless accusations and fear-mongering in an attempt to deflect attention from the legitimate concerns raised by the Nigerian people”.

The party also said the protests were a grassroot expression of frustration and disaffection with the current state of affairs in the country.

“The citizens of Nigeria have the right to protest peacefully and demand accountability from their government,” the statement reads.

“It is disingenuous for the APC to dismiss these protests as mere instigation by the opposition, when, in fact, they are a reflection of the growing discontent among the populace.

“Instead of labeling protesters as pawns of the opposition, the government should listen to their grievances and work towards addressing the root causes of their discontent.

“It is only through dialogue and genuine engagement that a lasting solution to the challenges facing our country can be found.

“It is high time the APC stopped playing the blame game and focus on delivering on its promises to the Nigerian people. The citizens of this country deserve better than empty rhetoric and false accusations.

“Let us come together as a nation to work towards a brighter and more prosperous future for all.

“We in the PRP are not for any gang up against the APC administrations that have ruined rather than ruled this country for the last decade.

“We stand with the ordinary Nigerians across the length and breadth of this country suffering from bad governance, and urge that governments at all levels listen and address the yearnings of Nigerians.”