Some northern elders and stakeholders have endorsed the planned nationwide protest by some Nigerian youths against hunger and economic hardship in the country.
In a statement jointly signed by Yusuf Usman, Naja’atu Muhammad, Umar Ardo, and Salihu Usman on Wednesday, the leaders said the cause of the protest against the system is valid and justifiable.
They noted that successive leaders in the country have failed to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens.
The statement partly read, “We, as Northern elders and key stakeholders in this country, we can have gathered here today to address a pressing issue that affects us all.
“As you are aware, our nation has long been facing unprecedented challenges of insecurity, excruciating poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, diseases, high cost of living, all on account of bad governance and corruption in public offices.
“We acknowledge that the primary purpose of any government is to secure life and property, and enhance the welfare of its citizens.
“Any regime that cannot guarantee these basic rights loses all legal and moral authority of being in power, and would naturally incur the wrath of citizens. It can therefore only remain in office more by default than by public consent.
“This seems to be the state our dear country, Nigeria, is drifting towards. Over the years, successive governments at all levels, including the incumbent ones, fell short of delivering the requisite leadership.
“Consequently, Nigerians have been thrown into a state of social dislocation that has plunged citizens, especially the youths, into disillusionment, disappointment, frustration, and hopelessness.
“To press home their legitimate demands concerning the cost of living crisis, insecurity, and the worrisome drift in the ship of state, Nigerian youths have resolved to go on a 10 day nationwide protest from the 1st to 10th August, 2024.”
While cautioning against the excessive use of force against the protesters, the leaders said”,we want to affirm the constitutionally protected right of all citizens to assemble and to protest. We also acknowledge that the cause for protest against the system is valid and justifiable.
“We wish to state clearly that we firmly stand by our youths in their resolve to exercise their right to protest.
“Secondly, we call on the federal government to be pragmatic and in its approach to the resolution of the crisis, if it hopes to amicably resolve it and mitigate the risks associated with mass protests.”
While offering recommendations on how to manage the agitation, the leaders asked the government to,” Identify and directly engage with the youth leaders and protesters to understand and address their grievances.
“Outsourcing this responsibility to others, such as traditional, religious, labour, civil society leaders, is not going to work. The use of state forces to intimidate, cajole and harass protesters can only further escalate an already volatile situation. .
“We have recently seen that in the EndSARS protests. Engagement remains the best and most effective solution.
The elders also asked the government to sincerely address the demands of the protesters by enhancing economic development, Improve governance, and ensure security”.
The northern also appealed to the youth to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner during the protest.
“As elders, while we stand shoulder to shoulder with you on this, we urge you to remain peaceful and law-abiding during these protests, avoiding any actions that may be misconstrued as violent, harmful, destructive, offensive or threatening to public peace.
“We also call on you to engage in dialogue if the government extends a hand of fellowship to you in addressing the root causes of your discontent and grievances,” the statement added.
