Hardship: Choose dialogue over protest, Arewa youth group urges agitators

A group, Arewa Youths Advocate of Peace and Unity Initiative has urged agitators of the hunger protest to embrace dialogue with the government.

The group noted that protesting against the government is too expensive for the country at the moment.

The group made the call on Saturday, 27th of July, 2024 through its National President, Comrade Sani Danaudi Mohammed in a statement titled: ‘Protest too expensive for Nigeria: Why the Nigerian Youths and Citizens Should listen to the President.’

The group noted that though the citizens rights to express grievances through peaceful protests are constitutional, yet the need to reconsider their actions and resort to dialogue is more important than ever before considering the multidimensional challenges confronting the nation.

The group called on Nigerians to join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in rebuilding the country instead of calling for a nationwide protest.

The statement reads further: “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.

“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.

“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.”

“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.

“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.