Agitators of the planned nationwide protest against bad governance have been urged to rethink and seek other means of achieving their objectives rather than plunge the country into an abyss in the name of agitation.
The assertion was made by a group known as Arewa Youths Advocate of Peace and Unity Initiative while addressing Journalists in Bauchi on Saturday through its National President, Comrade Sani Danaudi Mohammed, titled: ‘Protest too expensive for Nigeria: Why the Nigerian Youths and Citizens Should listen to the President.’
According to him, “It became necessary to address you today over the state of the nation, particularly the ongoing national discussion regarding the protest scheduled for August 1st, tagged #EndBadGovernmentinNigeria by yet-to-be identified groups of unpatriotic Nigerians. This hashtag has already cast doubt on the credibility of the protest.”
He stressed that, as a concerned youth organisation in Northern Nigeria, our aim is to support government efforts towards promoting peace and unity through community and stakeholder engagements.
Hence, there is an urgent need to call on our members and all Nigerian youths to be guided by patriotism and conscience to distance themselves from this evil disruption of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu’s GCFR in his quest to restore the nation’s lost glory.”
He added that although the citizen’s rights to express their grievances through peaceful protests are constitutional and allow in a democratic certain, including Nigeria, the need to reconsider their actions and resort to dialogue is more important than ever before considering the multidimensional challenges confronting us as a nation.”
Sani Danaudi Mohammed stressed that, “Despite the current plights facing Nigerians, we should not shy away from acknowledging President Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to set the foundation for our future and our children.
“These are the consequences of the bold steps taken by the President since assuming office in May 2023, and on our part, we must make sacrifices to make tomorrow better.
He observed that “the security of lives and properties of every citizen is the primary objective of government at all levels, and no president will allow his country to boil after taking an oath of office.”
“Therefore, we must consider the nation first; let’s see enough reasons why we should not allow ourselves to be used as destructive agents. It is important to revert to being stakeholders and ambassadors of peace and unity in Nigeria to support government efforts to ensure the peace and stability of Nigeria,” he added.
The group’s national president stressed that, however, no right-thinking Nigerian youth and all citizens, inclusive, will allow themselves to be used by such agents of doom. I subscribed to the idea of the former Governor of Kano State, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, whose opinion as a politician called on the Nigerian youths to consider a regime change through the ballot system in the next round of elections.”
He also stated that, over the years, Nigeria has witnessed numerous protests, ranging from demands for better governance to calls for economic reforms. The dangers associated with demonstrations in Nigeria cannot be overlooked. As citizens grapple with hardships, it is imperative to understand these risks and explore why patience, trust, and support for President Tinubu and our governors might be more prudent approaches.”
“Further, while it is essential for citizens to express their grievances, it is equally important to acknowledge the efforts of the Nigerian military and other security agencies to manage protest situations and ensure that they do not spiral into chaos. These agencies often face great personal risk while maintaining order and protecting critical national assets, and their warning is important at this critical moment,” he stated.
“We are happy that they have issued a strong warning to the agents of doom who are planning to disrupt the peace and unity of Nigeria. The action of the IGP through the State Commissioners of Police to identify the leaders of the organisers, including the locations of the protest, is highly commendable, and this is the only way to prevent anarchy and hoodlums from disgusting innocent protesters. Anyone who refuses to identify and register with the security agencies is no longer a peaceful protester but a threat to the peace and unity of Nigeria,” he added.
Going down memory lane, Sani Danaudi Mohammed said that “Ali Must Go” in 1978 was sparked by an increase in the cost of meal tickets for university students organised by the National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS), led by Segun Okeowo. The 1989 anti-SAP riots by NUNS were a response to the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which included austerity measures such as subsidy removals and currency devaluation. The June 12, 1993, demonstration over an annulment of the presidential election believed to have been won by Moshood Abiola.”
The January 2012 “Occupy Nigeria” protest against the removal of fuel subsidies and, more recently, the #EndSARS protest in October 2020, fueled by anger at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), the aftermath of these protests, and the billions used to renovate, reconstruct, and rebuild the damaged infrastructure and critical national assets, are enough reasons for every Nigerian citizen to distance themselves from this nationwide protest.
As right-thinking Nigerian citizens, there is an urgent need to look beyond our personal demands and give President Tinubu and other elected leaders the benefit of the doubt in this trying moment of our nation’s history. Those investigating the Nigerian youths going on a rampage against the president are nothing more than the worst enemies of our nation and our generation unborn.
The policies, programmes, and actions of President Tinubu to alleviate the suffering and plight of Nigerians should not go unnoticed. Recently, students loaned a shipment of 740 truckloads of rice to the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). A 150-day window for food to be imported duty-free and a three-month grant of N50,000 to 100,000 families in each state have been approved.
Another N155 billion, or over N1 trillion, will be spent on the N50,000 intended for 3.7 million families and the N10 billion allotted for CNG buses in each of the 36 states and the FCT, respectively.
The Supreme Court’s historic ruling on the autonomy of local governments aims at enhancing the lives and general well-being of citizens at the grassroots level. The 70 thousand Minimum wage for workers and another 75 thousand for graduates.These numerous actions of Mr. President, unless something different is decided, are sufficient reasons to halt the planned protests.
“Consequently, we must commend the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, and his colleagues in the North East for their commitments towards reviving the economy and security of the region,” he added.
According to him, “The North East Governors Forum has been working hard to revive the region, and any plan to undermine this process must be resisted by all. No one loves Nigeria and the North East more than these aforementioned elected leaders, who have the mandate to protect the lives and properties of the citizens; hence, their decisions must be respected. Anyone going against their wishes and directives is the region’s and the nation’s greatest enemy.”
He stressed that, “At this critical moment, they should have joined hands with Mr. President in rebuilding the country instead of calling for a nationwide protest at the time. We are battling to fix the economy, restore security, and build infrastructure. No democratic government in history since the return of the fourth republic in 1999 has ever given young Nigerians active positions in government from ministers, SA, SSA, board chairmen, and members, as well as heads of agencies like President Tinubu did.”
According to him, “It is in the light of the above that, as a conglomerate of diverse and informed youths from the North, we are strongly advising the fellow Nigerian youths to, as a matter of urgency, shun the nationwide protest plan. It is never in the interest of our great country, Nigeria, and there is no time that President Tinubu needs the support of Nigerians across all divides than now.”
While concluding, he said that, “After all, another election season will soon resurface, and that is where Nigerians will make choices on the leadership they need through democratic means and without resorting to anarchy. Let us listen to the President and give him the benefit of the doubt.”
He also stated that the voice of the youths is already heard loud and clear. The President’s recent actions are testimony to those facts, and there is no need for a nationwide protest against the legitimate government that has a mandate of four years. Our position.”
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