The deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has urged the people of the South-East not to join the planned nationwide protest.
Mr Kalu made the appeal while reacting to the signing of the South East Development Commission bill into law by President Bola Tinubu.
He said Mr Tinubu has shown his resolve to heal the wounds of the past, saying the newly signed bill will tackle ecological problems and other related environmental and developmental challenges in the south-east region.
“To my fellow South-Easterners, I implore you not to join the planned looming anti-government protests,” Mr Kalu said while briefing journalists in Abuja.
“Instead, let us view the signing of the SEDC bill into law as a testament to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s resolve to heal the wounds of the past, bury the rumours of the “marginalisation of the Southeast geopolitical zone,” and renew the hope of the nation towards equitable economic growth and socio-cultural renewal. This is a time for unity and progress, not division and unrest.
“I also implore Nigerians from all walks of life and the entirety of the country to not heed the calls for protest but instead continue to trust in the process.
“The reforms of the current administration will take time but will soon start to suffice, including a reversal of inflation, stabilisation of the economy, and the ensuing multiplier effects in a massive employment boom as a result of industrialization, and the outcomes of the work organisations like the SEDC will engineer.”
