As Nigeria grapples with worsening economic hardships and widespread insecurity, three prominent northern groups have made urgent appeals to the Bola Tinubu administration to address the mounting calls for protest across the nation.
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Northern Awareness Network (NAN), and Northern Stakeholders Consultative Forum have collectively voiced deep concern over the deteriorating situation while imploring citizens, particularly the youth, to exercise restraint in the face of growing anger and frustration.
The AYCF, led by Yerima Shettima, acknowledged the current state of affairs in Nigeria where “prevailing harsh living conditions have reached a critical juncture, leading to escalating frustration and anger among the populace.”
Yerima cited rising living costs, unemployment and lack of basic amenities which he said have exacerbated “the plight of the people [and] further contributing to the growing discontent.”
According to him, there’s a “palpable sense of marginalization and neglect, leading to a collective sense of betrayal towards the government.”
He also warned of potential consequences if these issues remain unaddressed by the Federal Government.
“Should these tensions go unchecked, they could give rise to widespread protests, potentially escalating into uncontrollable unrest,” said the AYCF leader.
While acknowledging the legitimacy of citizens’ grievances, the AYCF President General strongly cautioned against violent protests. He advocated for peaceful means of addressing grievances, stating, “We implore the youth to abstain from violent protests or actions that could further aggravate the situation. Violence will only breed further destruction and loss of life, without effectively addressing the root causes of our grievances.”
Yerima further called for constructive engagement: “We advocate for channeling frustrations and grievances through peaceful and constructive means of engagement that can foster positive change. It is imperative that the youth of Nigeria refrain from participating in any protests or demonstrations that could disrupt the nation’s stability.”
Making similar appeal, the Northern Awareness Network chairman, Salihu Sulaiman, stated, “While we support the right of citizens to peacefully assemble and express their grievances, we must also recognize the potential for violence and escalation in such situations. The history of protests in Nigeria, and indeed around the world, has shown that peaceful demonstrations can quickly turn violent if not managed carefully.”
NAN recommended dialogue and engagement as the most effective ways to address the root causes of the current crisis.
“It is crucial for all stakeholders – government officials, civil society organizations, community leaders, and citizens – to come together in a spirit of openness and cooperation to find lasting solutions to the challenges facing the nation,” he said.
The Northern Stakeholders Consultative Forum also added its voice to the call for restraint while acknowledging the severity of the situation.
The group’s spokesman, Danjuma Paul, urged the government to prioritise the welfare and security of all Nigerians and to work towards creating a conducive environment for economic growth and development.
“The Northern Stakeholders Consultative Forum is deeply concerned about the intolerable level of hardship and the general and pervasive insecurity being experienced across Nigeria. The rising cost of living, the lack of basic amenities, and the increasing spate of insecurity have made life unbearable for many Nigerians,” said Paul.
He pleaded with the public, “particularly the youth everywhere and in the North in particular, to exercise restraint and stay action on the planned protests to allow room for honest, open-ended dialogue. While we understand the frustrations and grievances of the people, we believe that violence and chaos will only exacerbate the current situation.”
The respective groups called for comprehensive reforms across economic, social, and security sectors to foster an environment conducive to growth, development, and prosperity.
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