Chief Emeka Agba has voiced his opposition to the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, warning it could worsen Nigeria’s current hardships. At a recent press conference, Agba, founder of the Emeka Agba Foundation, shared his concerns about the protest’s potential negative impact.
“My opposition to the protest is not because I am unaffected by the current state of the government or the high cost of living in Nigeria,” Agba stated. “I am acutely aware of the struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians, including my own efforts to pay for electricity and water for my family.”
Agba likened the proposed protest to “pouring gasoline on a fire instead of using water to extinguish it,” suggesting that such actions would only exacerbate the country’s suffering. “A protest of any kind right now would really destroy things and make the people suffer even more,” he emphasized. “At the end of the day, if the protest takes place, it’s still Nigerians who will pay for what has been lost or damaged.”
He urged Nigerians not to draw comparisons with countries like Kenya, where protests have occurred. “Kenya is not like Nigeria. Kenya is a smaller country, while Nigeria is a country with different ethnic backgrounds and tribes,” Agba explained. “A protest of any kind right now would really destroy things and make the people suffer even more.”
Agba further noted that even if the government borrows money to repair the damage caused by protests, it is ultimately taxpayers who will bear the burden, adding to their suffering. “It’s still Nigerians who will pay for what has been lost or damaged,” he pointed out.
Instead of protesting, Agba suggested a more pragmatic approach to addressing the country’s challenges. “We need neutral individuals who are not politicians to actively engage with the government and present the demands of the masses in a civilized and decent manner,” he advised.
“The moment we talk about protests, many hoodlums, jobless people, and those suffering from hunger will take advantage of the situation to start destroying and looting properties,” Agba warned. “We have seen it happen during the #EndSARS protests. So, let’s stop this call for protests.”
On the ongoing face-off between Aliko Dangote and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Agba revealed his reservations about Dangote’s business practices, such as the high price of cement. However, he acknowledged the importance of Dangote’s refinery to Nigeria’s self-reliance in petroleum products. “We should allow that refinery to function. The government should support the refinery and allow Dangote to operate it. They can establish a contract to prevent price fixing, but they should ensure the refinery operates at its best,” Agba stated.
He also called on international oil mafias to leave Nigeria alone, accusing them of stealing from and manipulating the country for too long. “One day, God will give Nigerians a leader who will refuse to be manipulated or intimidated,” Agba concluded.
