‘It’s reckless inciting Nigerians,’ Matawalle slams Amaechi over protest call

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has slammed a former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, over his recent comment calling for a protest against the hike in fuel and commodity prices.

In a recent interview, Amaechi, a former Minister of Transportation, berated Nigerian youths for sitting back instead of hitting the streets to protest the rising cost of living and hardship in the country.

He had said, “There should be protests. Not even protests against anybody but against the politicians that ‘we won’t vote.’”

However, in a statement on Saturday issued by the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Henshaw Ogubike, the minister described Amaechi’s comments as reckless and irresponsible.

The former Governor of Zamfara State said President Bola Tinubu is working tirelessly to safeguard the peace and security of every Nigerian.

It reads, “It is both reckless and irresponsible for a former public servant of Amaechi’s standing to incite Nigerians against their own government.

“At a time when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working tirelessly to address the challenges facing the nation through various reforms that are yielding results, it is absurd, preposterous and shameful for anyone to exploit the genuine situation of our citizens for selfish political gain.”

He warned that any attempts to destabilise the country through incitement would not be tolerated and cautioned Amaechi against casting aspersions on the government’s genuine intentions for Nigerians.

“We will not allow anyone to fuel violence or manipulate the prevailing situation of our people. Let this serve as a final warning to Amaechi and his cohorts.

“It is expected that Amaechi joins hands with the Federal Government to move the country forward. Rather, he chose to stay aside with myopic assertions,” the statement added.