Civil unrest won’t bring solutions, NIREC tells #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria demonstrators

The Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) has issued a plea to the organizers of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest to suspend the nationwide demonstrations, citing concerns over the loss of lives and properties.

The council warned that continued civil unrest would exacerbate the country’s fragile state and fail to address its economic challenges.

The apex inter-religious body in Nigeria said this in a statement signed by the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh.

Reports earlier indicated that at least  17 persons were feared killed in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna, and Jigawa during the #EndBadGovernance protest which was held across the country.

NIREC noted that it recognised 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.

The statement reads, “The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), under the leadership of His Eminence Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar CFR. mni. Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President. Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) observes with heavy heart the happenings in the country at the moment. 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.

“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. NIREC hereby calls on fellow citizens of Nigeria to please call off this protest and give the Government a chance to redeem itself.

“In just one day lives and 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. NIREC urges the government to expedite action towards meeting the yearning and needs of the citizens. We need a peaceful and tranquil nation we can be proud to call our own.”