It became necessary to address you this morning over the State of the nation particularly the ongoing national discussion regarding the protest scheduled for Aust 1st tagged #EndBadGovernmentinNigeria by yet to be identified groups of unpatriotic Nigerians. This harsh tagged has already cast a doubt in the credibility of the protest.
As a concern youth organisation in Northern Nigeria, Our aim is to support Government efforts towards promoting peace and unity through community and stakeholders engagements. Hence, the urgent need to call on our members and all Nigerian youths to be guided by patriotism and consience to distance themselves from this evil disruption of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu GCFR in his quest restore back the nation lost glory.
Although, the citizens rights to express their grievances through Peaceful Protest is 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 a nation.
Despite the current plights facing Nigerians, We should not shy away from acknowledging President Tinubu’s administration efforts to set the foundation for our future and our children. These are consequences of the bold steps taken by the President since assuming office in May 2023 and on our part ,we must sacrifices to make tomorrow better.
The Security of lives and properties of every citizen is the primary objectives 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 see enough reasons why ,we should not allow ourselves to be use as destructive agents. It is important to revert to been stakeholders and an ambassadors of peace and unity of Nigeria to support Government efforts to ensure the peace and stability of Nigeria.
However, no right thinking Nigerian youth and all citizens inclusive will allow himself to be use 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 call on the Nigerian Youths to consider a regime change through the ballot system in the next circle of elections.
Meanwhile, 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 more, 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 managing protest situations and ensuring 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.
We are happy that , they have issued strong warning to the agents of doom who are planning to disrupt the peace and unity of Nigeria. The action of IGP through the State Commissioners of Police to identify the leaders of the organisers including locations of the protest is highly commendable and this is the only way to prevent anarchy and hoodlums from disgusting as innocent protesters. Anyone who refused to be identify and register with the Security Agencies is no more a peaceful Protester but a threat to the peace and unity of Nigeria.
Ali Must Go” in 1978, sparked by an increase in the cost of meal tickets for university students organised by 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 infrastructures and critical national assets are enough reasons for every Nigerian citizens to distance themselves from this plan nationwide protest.
As right thinking Nigerian citizens, there is 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 history. Those Investigating the Nigerian youths to go on rampage against the President are nothing more than the worst enemies of our nation and our generation unborn.
The policies ,Programs and actions of President Tinubu to alleviate the suffering and plight of Nigerians should not go unnoticed. The recently students loan, shipment of 740 lorry loads of rice to the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). 150-day window for food to be imported duty-free and three-month grant of N50,000 to 100,000 families in each state has been approved.
Another N155 billion, over N1 trillion will be spent on the N50,000 intended for 3.7 million families and N10bn 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 aim 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 and unless something different is decided, these are sufficient reasons to shelves the plan protests.
Consequently, We must commend the Executive Governor of Bauchi State Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed CON and his colleagues ( Governors) in the North East for their commitments towards reviving the economy and security of the region. The North East Governors forum have been working hard to revive the region and any plan to undermine this process must be resisted by all. No one love 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 decision must respected. Anyone going against their wish and directives is the region and the nation greatest enemy.
At this critical moment, they should have join 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 infrastructures. 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 Head of Agencies like President Tinubu did.
It is in the light of the above that , As a conguromulate of diverse and informed youths from the North are strongly advising the fellow Nigerian youths to as a matter of urgency to shun the plan nationwide protest. It is never in the interest of our great country Nigeria and there is no time that , President Tinubu need the support of Nigerians across all divides than now.
After all, another election season will soon resurface and that is where , Nigerians will make choices on the leadership the need through democratic means and without resorting to anarchy. Let listen to the President and give him a benefit of doubt. The voice of the youths is already heard loud and clear. The President’s recent actions are testimony to those facts and no need for a nationwide protest against the legitimate Government that has a mandate of four years.Our position.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Sani Danaudi Mohammed
National President
