By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse
As D-Day for the planned nationwide protest against the federal government economic policies draws nearer, two pro-northern groups in Jigawa state have sharply disagreed on the necessity for the protest.
The two groups the Concerned Citizens of Northern Nigerian (CCNN), and the Sawaba Initiative for Humanitarian Development, in their separate submissions advanced opposing views on the protest.
While the CCNN announced it’s withdrawal on account of it’s potential devastating effect on the northern Nigeria in particular and the nation at large, the Sawaba Initiative indicated it’s resolve to press ahead with the planned protest.
However, his counterpart in the Sawaba Initiative, Malam Umar Danjani Hedeja, in a statement made available to newsmen in Dutse, believed the protest was necessary in order to draw the attention of the leaders of the poverty, hunger and suffering in the country.
The CCNN Coordinator in the state, Muhammad Bello, while addressing reporters on Saturday in Dutse said group, along with it’s affiliate civil society organizations , (CSOs) in the state decided to withdraw from the protest after considering circumstances surrounding it.
He added that the decision was reached in consultation with 20 affiliate associations in the state.
“Initially, we actively participated in the mobilisation of people to partake in the process considering the prevailing conditions of insecurity, hunger and starvation in the country.
According to Bello, “After considering the circumstances surrounding the protest, the CCNN Jigawa state chapter, including 27 LGAs branches, hereby announce its withdrawal form the planned nationwide protest.
“The decision was reached in consultation with the 20 affiliate associations in the state and the decision came after careful consideration and thorough assessment of the potential risks and consequences of participating in the protest,” he said.
The coordinator added that as concerned citizens, the group priorities the peace and stability of the Northern region.
He explained that the group was a witness to the several devastating effects of protests in other countries where peaceful demonstrations escalated into violent conflicts, resulting in loss of lives, destruction of property and long term instability.
Bello, who described the group’s withdrawal from the protest as proactive measure to safeguard the interest of the northern region, admitted, however, that Nigerians were suffering from insecurity, hunger and starvation.
He added that the economic situation has worsened, leaving many Nigerians without access to basic necessities.
“Therefore, we call on President Tinubu to implement policies to stimulate economic growth and job creation and provide support for vulnerable populations, especially the poor and marginalised.
“The CCNN charges the
government to address the root cause of insecurity and work towards lasting peace.
“Specifically, the CCNN presents the following demands to the government; government must work to end insecurity bedeviling our communities, end the current hardship in Nigerian immediately, revitalize our refineries and reverse petrol price to a reasonable amount, reverse electricity tariff, bring tertiary institution fees to their previous rates, reduce costs of governance and restrain from foreign loan and reduce tax on citizens,” he declared.
According to him, the group is aware that most of the promoters and sponsors of the protest are neither leaving nor working in Nigerian, and that the group will not provide a platform for conflict merchants to exploit the situation and worsen the suffering of the citizens.
“We therefore urge all concerned citizens to join us in prioritising peace and stability in our region, because together we can build a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come devoid of violence,” the coordinator said.
Danjani, on his part, said, rather than blaming imaginary opposition, the government should look at itself and take an assessment of policies especially on the removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the naira, the twin policies which were the main triggers of the current state of affairs.
Besides, the Sawaba chieftain recalled that, a section of the current leadership of the country, especially the president participated in the protest against the previous administration over the same issue, wondering what had changed now he’s on the receiving end.
Danjani has harsh words for a section of f religious leaders, especially from the northern part the county, who were now preaching against protest, when they tacitly endorsed similar action in 2012.
According to him, “They must address the concerns being raised by Nigerians, especially the excruciating poverty, the hardship and insecurity facing Nigerians. Otherwise, Nigerians are ready to go out and protest and God knows that there’s no group of people, who have defrauded Nigerians like our religious leaders, who have failed to to the leaders the true position of things in the country.”
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