The Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’adu Abubakar III, alongside the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, have made a fervent appeal to the #EndBadGovernance protesters to cease their demonstrations and engage in dialogue.
The protests, which have seen thousands of angry youths occupying major cities such as Lagos and Abuja, began as a response to the government’s economic policies.
The nationwide movement, now in its second day, has unfortunately turned violent in several states, resulting in the loss of lives and the destruction of property.
In a jointly signed statement, the religious leaders expressed their deep concern over the deteriorating situation and called for an immediate end to the protests.
“The protest that commenced in a peaceful manner on Thursday, August 1, 2024, despite pleas from all quarters, took a turn for the worse and became violent later in the day. In just a few hours, lives and property were lost due to this unfortunate scenario,” they stated.
Acknowledging the widespread hunger and hardship in the country, the leaders stressed that civil unrest is not a viable solution.
“It is without doubt that there is hunger and hardship in the country but civil unrest is not the solution as it would only further aggravate the already frail state of the nation,” they noted.
The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), represented by the Sultan and the Archbishop, urged Nigerians to call off the protests and give the government a chance to address their grievances.
“In just one day, lives and an enormous amount of property have been destroyed. Imagine if this continues for a prolonged period of time, only God knows the extent of damage that would be incurred.
“The Council calls on the security agencies to be more professional in the discharge of their duties,” they added.
Furthermore, NIREC called on the government to expedite actions aimed at meeting the needs and yearnings of the citizens. “We need a peaceful and tranquil nation we can be proud to call our own. May God bless us all,” the statement concluded.
The protests, which began as peaceful demonstrations, quickly escalated as frustration boiled over among the youth who have been hardest hit by the government’s economic policies.
The violent turn has led to tragic outcomes, including loss of life and significant damage to property, highlighting the urgent need for constructive dialogue and responsive governance.
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