Ngerians protesting against hardship in the country have been invited for dialogue by President Bola Tinubu just as he pleaded with them to stop their actions.
The president extended the invitation in a nationwide broadcast on Sunday.
He said he was sad over the killings of people and destruction of properties in the ongoing protest and asked those involved to ceasefire.
Tinubu condole the families of those who lost loved ones in the protest, saying there was need to ensure public order.
The president said the government would not “stand idly by and allow a few with a clear political agenda to tear this nation apart.”
He said, “As President of this country, I must ensure public order. In line with my constitutional oath to protect the lives and property of every citizen, our government will not stand idly by and allow a few with a clear political agenda to tear this nation apart.
“Under the circumstances, I hereby enjoin protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to 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.” He said.
He said he is especially pained by the loss of lives in Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and other states, saying that, “the destruction of public facilities in some states, and the wanton looting of supermarkets and shops, contrary to the promise of protest organisers that the protest would be peaceful across the country.
“The destruction of properties sets us back as a nation, as scarce resources will be again used to restore them,” Tinubu added.
