Protests: Reverse subsidy removal, end kidnapping, banditry in Northern Nigeria – Northern youths tell Tinubu

By, Ajiya Ayuba, Bauchi

The Coalition of Northern Group (CNC) on Tuesday, called on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to meet the demands of protesters to end subsidy scam and reverse fuel price to below N300 per litter, bring an end to kidnapping, banditry and Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria.

The group, however urged president Tinubu to address the demands of the protesters which according to them includes; Exploration of crude oil activities at the Kolmani Oil Field that has become dormant 18 months after a presidential inauguration of exploration activities on the site, tertiary education fees back to their previous rates, restore electricity tariff to affordable levels for the public.

Other demands are; To return import duties to their previous rates, reform EFCC, Stabilize the Forex and to bring the country’s inflation down.

The Northern group made this known in a statement signed by the Coordinator and the secretary; Bello Aminu and Hasnim Pal, and made available to newsmen in Bauchi. 

The statement reads in part: “These protesters which are in exercise of their fundamental right to peaceful assembly guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are aimed at drawing the attention of the government towards addressing the serious challenges that have made life unbearable to the common man. However, we urge all protesters to embrace peace and dialogue as the means to achieve their goals”

“We call on the president to rethink and mend his stand concerning his speech delivered on Sunday which has failed to address the key demand of the protesters.

“We understand and acknowledge the right of the people, especially the youth, to express their grievances and seek better futures. However, we urge all protesters to embrace peace and dialogue as the means to achieve their goals.

“We deeply concerned that some protesters in some parts of the country were seen marching on the streets, waving Russian flags, such actions are not only inappropriate but also a threat to our democracy, it is also a reasonable offense, and it will be viewed and treated as such, and we call on those involved to cease these activities immediately.

The protests have shifted from initially peaceful protests to widespread criminal activity, noted that the situation has deteriorated, with looting and chaos taking over the protests. Initially, when the protests started, it was described as peaceful, but it was hijacked and willing to exploit it to cause mayhem, unfortunately taking a violent turn, with hoodlums and underage children’s movement causing chaos. 

“We call on all protesters to end the protests and return home peacefully. Rest assured, your voices have been heard. In Azare, Katagum Local Government the protest has largely been marred by violence, looting and destruction of public and private properties. 

“We have to respect Nigerian democracy and believe that peaceful demonstrations in conformity with the Nigerian law are a manifestation of democracy. However, these events that lead to disruptions of Local Government Secretariat and other government and private properties”

“We strictly condemn them in strong terms and urge the government to ensure that the perpetrators are being punished to serve as a deterrent to others. 

The implication of their action is that the scarce resources that were supposed to be channeled to our hospital, schools and other needs will now be channeled to repair the damages caused as a result of the violent protest.

“We call on the federal government to address the issue of out-of-school children and to implement economic policies that benefit the masses by abolishing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) economic policy. Additionally, we urge the government to take immediate action to alleviate the hardship and hunger affecting our nation”

“We also enjoin fellow citizens to return home, resume their normal legitimate activities and continue to work with us in lawful ways until the issues addressed in this conference are properly sorted. Let me repeat that there will be light at the end of the tunnel” they stated.