The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council has appealed to protesters to allow peace to prevail, warning that civil unrest will only aggravate the nation’s frail state.
Co-chairmen Sultan Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar and Archbishop Daniel Okoh expressed sadness over the violent turn of peaceful protests, urging citizens to give the government a chance to redeem itself.
NIREC called on security agencies to act professionally and the government to expedite action on citizens’ needs, according to TheNation.
Meanwhile, Prof Kailani Muhammad, director-general of the APC Support Groups, appealed to protesters to embrace dialogue and urged President Bola Tinubu’s government to assemble a Think-Tank to aid policy formulation and implementation.
He suggested skill acquisition training programs for youths and warned against the dangers of the #EndBadGovernance protest, encouraging engagement with the government to address issues amicably.
According to a statement jointly signed and issued on Friday, the duo said: “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) observe with a heavy heart the happenings in the country at the moment.
“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 amounts of property have been destroyed. Imagine if this continues for a prolonged time, only God knows the extent of damage that would be incurred”.
NIREC urged the government to expedite action towards meeting the yearning and needs of the citizens.
The council said: “We need a peaceful and tranquil nation we can be proud to call our own. May God bless us all.”
Kailani, at a press conference, stated that he would not relentlessly enlighten the nation, especially the youth, about the dangers inherent in the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest.
He said: “I am passionately appealing to our Nigerian youth to eschew bitterness and embrace dialogue with the government on all areas of concern.
Speaking further, Kailani said the APC support group is pleased that the Federal Government has authorized the allocation of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery.
“However, this gesture should be managed efficiently and with sincerity to benefit Nigerians. We witnessed how Dangote Flour Mills skyrocketed prices due to a monopoly.”
There is no doubt that hunger is prevalent in the land. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is aware of these challenges and, as a listening father to all, has begun revisiting some policies and taking steps to reverse the trend.
“He has swiftly dispatched 20 trailers of 25 kg rice to each of the 36 states of the federation, including Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
“Our youth must not allow disgruntled elements to deceive them into taking actions harmful to Nigeria’s progress.”
