Your complaint is right but the solution is not carrying placards and lining the streets – Lawmaker, Benjamin Kalu tells Nigerians

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has urged Nigerians to refrain from protesting the current economic hardship, asserting that Nigeria, as the giant of Africa, should not resort to street protests like smaller African nations.

Speaking during the plenary on Thursday, July 18, Kalu acknowledged the economic difficulties facing the country but appealed for patience with the federal government. He emphasized that the solution to these challenges lies in supporting government policies rather than protesting.

”I rise to support this motion, all important, timely, reasonable, nation-building motion that is laid on this floor with an appeal. It’s only a man who is patriotic, believes in nation building that presents such motion. So, I thank you Honorable Isiaka for being sensitive as a leader in Nigeria. I know many of us here are sensitive. Many of the representatives here are passionate about our country. That was why we left all the things we are doing to come to be part of a government that will grow our nation.

We have a problem. It is not in doubt, Mr. speaker. There is no member here who disagrees with the point that there is a problem in Nigeria. But also there is no representative here who doesn’t believe that problems that we refer to did not just arise overnight. It is a compilation of years of difficulties that piled up.

There is an agreement in our mind also that one year is not enough to resolve hydra headed problems, and as a solution hub, what we are here to do is to find the best plug to fit into the hole that will soothe the pain of Nigerians. Nigeria is bleeding. We agree. We are also Nigerians.

So, I want to join in the prayers of this motion to speak to the people of Nigeria. Your crying is right. Your complaint of hardship is right. But is the solution found in carrying placard and lining the streets? Is the solution found in copying a country lesser than us? The references that are made today to Kenya and the rest of them; they are smaller countries to Nigeria. We are giant of Africa. We must proffer solution that is better and sustainable and lasting. That solution is not found in our children being killed on the street while protesting. It is not found in our raising placard. It is found in supporting the policies of government and understanding that these policies need time to begin to materialize.

Rome was not built in a day. In 360 days, the president of this country has not rested, has not gone on Jamboree, has not gone to pursue shadows. He has been deliberately, intentionally laying foundation for a nation that needs stability.”