Enugu State Governor Dr. Peter Mbah, Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, and Minister of Works David Umahi have commended the South-East region for not participating in the ongoing nationwide hunger protests. During a project inspection tour in Enugu on Sunday, the leaders emphasized that the region’s decision to abstain from protests helped avoid potential losses and showcased goodwill towards President Bola Tinubu’s Federal Government.
Governor Mbah expressed appreciation for the people’s adherence to the call to shun protests, stating, “We commend our people for understanding the value of hard work and the long-term benefits of government policies. Patience with these reforms will eventually reveal their value.”
Minister Umahi highlighted that the South-East and the Igbo community’s non-participation made a significant statement. He praised President Tinubu for appointing Igbo leaders to prominent positions, signifying a move towards better integration and development in the region.
Governor Otti, speaking at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Aba, thanked the people of Abia State for heeding his call to avoid protests. He had previously appealed for restraint during a meeting with Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) also urged southeasterners to avoid the protests, focusing instead on their call for a referendum and the release of their detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu. IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful reiterated their stance, emphasizing their primary interest in determining their fate through a Biafran referendum.
