Atedo Peterside, founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, has urged the campaigners of the #EndBadGovernance protest to suspend their demonstrations for now.
Peterside, in a statement on his X handle on Sunday, stated that if the government fails to yield to the demands of the protesters, they should regroup and call the Nigerian leaders to order again.
“I doff my hat to those of you who have been protesting peacefully since 01 August. You have shaken Nigeria to the core and dispelled the falsehood that many of our youths are not politically active and/or do not care to demand good governance,” he said.
“I beg you in the name of God to please call off the protest now,” Peterside added, stressing that prolonged demonstrations may be infiltrated and overtaken by hoodlums.”
Peterside, who is also the president and founder of Anap Foundation, called on the demonstrators to consider poor Nigerians who cannot endure protests for more than a few days, appealing to the campaigners to end the protest Sunday.
“You have made your point. Your massive turnout has frightened many people. FG is not deaf. The President has spoken this morning. Perhaps even the Legislators have heard you also,” the business tycoon said.
“If they collectively fail to significantly reduce the cost of governance, stop wasteful expenditures and tighten their own belts or lead by example, please then re-strategise, regroup and call them to order again,” Peterside said.
Thousands of Nigerians, especially youths, have poured into the streets since Thursday demanding an end to bad governance and improvement in their living conditions.
The protest, which began peacefully, has degenerated into chaos and violence in several states in the northern region amid killings of protesters.
President Bola Tinubu in a nationwide broadcast on Sunday urged protesters to stop the demonstrations as their demands have been heard loud and clear.
