A group of Islamic clerics has called on young Nigerians to cancel the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August.
The clerics made this plea following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Thursday.
The protest, sparked by widespread economic hardship and escalating cost of living, has gained traction on social media and is set to take place across the country’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
In response to the brewing unrest, President Tinubu held separate meetings on Thursday with APC governors, traditional rulers, and Islamic clerics to discuss strategies for maintaining peace and order.
Addressing the press after their meeting with the President, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, President of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), conveyed the group’s concerns.
He stated that while the grievances of the protesters are understood, a demonstration is not the best solution and might not yield the desired positive results.
The clerics emphasized the importance of peace and stability, urging the youth to exercise patience and give the government time to address their grievances.
They also highlighted the potential for protests to be hijacked by elements seeking to cause chaos and disrupt public order.
Lau said, “As you know, we are a media through which the less privileged in the society can send their views, their concerns to the President and Alhamdulillah, we have taken up what people are saying about hardship, insecurity and other things.
“The president welcomed us and appreciated what we are here for, what we brought, and he promised to tackle and take care (of them).”
The cleric then appealed to Nigerians, Muslims and Christians, that they exercise patience and pray for the president and the country.
“We are appealing to Nigerians, Muslims and Christians, that they should be patient. Insha Allah, the result all will come out,” he said.
The economic reforms embarked on by President Tinubu have triggered Nigeria’s worst cost of living crisis in a generation.
Food prices have more than doubled since the president announced the removal of petrol subsidies last year. The floating of the naira to allow market forces to determine the currency’s value has also worsened the situation.
Tinubu and his officials have, however, argued that those policies are essential and would eventually make the economy better.
The president has repeatedly acknowledged the pains caused by the reforms and its unintended consequences but wants Nigerians to bear with him.
In his remarks Thursday, the spiritual leader of Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, Abdurrahman Ahmad, said the president was very receptive when they conveyed the people’s message.
“He has told us the effort that his government has been making to ensure that the economy of this country is placed on a very sound footing. He acknowledged the fact that things could be a bit tough now, and he likened it to weaning a child who’s being exclusively breastfed; it’s tough,” Mr Ahmad said.
He said the president identified with Nigerians and their suffering and promised more intervention to ameliorate the situation.
Ahmad said, “He assured that in the days to come, Nigerians will see the result of all of these sacrifices.”
He urged Nigerians to resist the temptation of being incited against the government and to shelve the planned protests.
He said, “We are appealing to the people to shelve it. It is an ill wind that blows no one any good. We have conveyed their anger and frustration to government, and the president has given reassurance that they are going to address it.”
