President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has appealed to organisers of the ongoing nationwide protest to end it and to truncate the ongoing economic recovery process.
In a national broadcast on Sunday, the President urged the protesters whose action has hit four days to embrace dialogue.
The president said he had always acceded to demands at the slightest opportunity.
“Nigeria requires all hands on deck and needs us all — regardless of age, party, tribe, religion or other divides — to work together in reshaping our destiny as a nation.
“To those who have taken undue advantage of this situation to threaten any section of this country, be warned: The law will catch up with you.
“There is no place for ethnic bigotry or such threats in the Nigeria we seek to build,” the president said
According to him, democracy progresses when the constitutional rights of every Nigerian are respected and protected.
“Our law enforcement agencies should continue to ensure the full protection of lives and property of innocent citizens in a responsible manner.
“My vision for our country is one of a just and prosperous nation where each person may enjoy the peace, freedom, and meaningful livelihood that only democratic good governance can provide.
“One that is open, transparent and accountable to the Nigerian people,” he said.
The president also enjoined Nigerians not to let anybody misinform and miseducate them about the country or tell them that the government did not care about them.
He said although there had been many dashed hopes in the past, he assured Nigerians that they were “in a new era of Renewed Hope.
“We are working hard for you, and the results will soon be visible and concrete for everyone to see, feel and enjoy.
“Let us work together to build a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come.
“Let us choose hope over fear, unity over division, and progress over stagnation”.
He said the economy was recovering, and urged Nigerians not to shut out its oxygen.
“Now that we have been enjoying democratic governance for 25 years, do not let the enemies of democracy use you to promote an unconstitutional agenda that will set us back on our democratic journey,” he noted
He charged security operatives to continue to maintain peace, law, and order following the necessary conventions on human rights, to which Nigeria is a signatory.
He said that the safety and security of all Nigerians were paramount and must be sustained.