Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has called on the leaders of youth groups, organised labour and the entire people of the state to shun the planned protest against bad governance scheduled for August 1.
The governor made this appeal at the IBB Square, Makurdi, the state capital, saying it is constitutional for the people to stage a peaceful protest to press home their demand.
However, he noted that mischief makers may take advantage of the protest and cause mayhem.
According to him, social protests can be devastating since they can cause economic setbacks and loss of lives, alluding to the #EndSARS protest and the recent protest in Ukum.
The Catholic priest governor said the precarious security situation in some parts of the state makes Benue an unsafe environment for protest.
He also acknowledged the hardship in the nation, stressing that President Bola Tinubu was trying to mitigate its effects.