Nigerian youths and organizers of the planned hardship protest have been urged to embrace dialogue in order not to destroy our collective heritage across the country.
The Muslim Community of Oyo State in a statement signed by Alhaji Kunle Sanni and Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade, the Chairman and Secretary-General respectively and made available to newsmen on Wednesday stated that it is never too late to abort the protest and engage in constructive and meaningful discussion that will move the country forward for the betterment of the populace.
According to the statement, Nigeria suffered badly from Boko Haram insurgency, through which Nigeria lost over $9 Billion, with over 60,000 dead and 2.5 million displaced, since 2002. We also cannot easily forget the toll of COVID-19; national and global recession; the effects of wars around the world – Ukraine/Russia, Israel/Hamas; the alarming rate of banditry and Kidnappings.
“Enemies of Nigeria, with their Nigerian cohorts, are indirectly instigating innocent youths to embark on the protest , just as they did in many other countries leading to wars in Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Syria, Yemen which have suffered bloodshed and destruction from what started as peaceful protests. Many citizens of these countries have fled and abandoned their homes and have become refugees in other lands. North East Nigeria suffers a similar fate” the statement added.
The statement further emphasize that any mishap in Nigeria, which accounts for 50% of the 442 million population of West Africa’s 16 countries will lead to implosion and no neighbouring country has the capacity to take Nigerians as refugees.
“Those goading the youths to protest have their children in comfortable abodes in Europe and America. In fact, some of them are already fleeing Nigeria”
The leadership of the body, however, implore the conveners of these protests that, rather than embark on protest, they should employ dialogue to table their demands from government.
According to them, it is never too late to have a rethink and abort the protest, that there is palpable fear in the land that the protest will be hijacked by hoodlums and turn violent.
The statement also referred to June 12, 1993 protest against the annulment of the most credible election in the history of Nigeria which started as a peaceful demonstration, but eventually became bloody as well as the recent # EndSARS which was initially peaceful before it led to looting expedition, blood-bath and irresponsible destruction.
“Remember, Police Stations were burnt and Police officers roasted alive. Could that have been the intention of the conveners – No. Owners of all the properties looted and destroyed during the mayhem, are yet to find their feet since then. Not to talk of government buses and properties, meant for the benefit of the people themselves, which were wantonly destroyed. Our African brothers, Kenya and Uganda, recently had similar demonstrations that have snowballed into bloody conflicts”
“Nigeria is the envy of others, even the developed economies. We have the 3rd largest percentage of youths in the whole world. You, the youths, are our hope, the lifeblood of our nation’s future, beaming with potentials and creativity. As the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs and change makers, you have the power to change things for the better and drive progress. With your innovativeness, energy and idealism, you are the key to unlocking a bright future for yourselves and the nation. May Almighty Allah let peace continue to reign in our land” the statement concluded.
