The Arewa Stakeholders Forum has cautioned Nigerians against participating in a nationwide strike scheduled for August 1, 2024.
Instead, the forum recommends continuous dialogue with the Federal Government and other stakeholders to address the country’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued by Prof. Shuiabu Aliyu after a closed-door meeting at the Arewa House Center for Research and Historical Documentation in Kaduna, the forum urged Nigerians to seek dialogue in resolving issues.
“We know the social challenges of hyper-inflation, unemployment, and hunger currently bedeviling the masses of this country, but after our deliberations, we are urging Nigerians to please explore alternatives to protests,” the statement said.
Prof. Aliyu warned that the planned protest could have devastating consequences, citing examples from Venezuela, Yemen, Syria, and Sudan.
“Civil strikes are often hijacked by mischief makers bent on bringing down the ruling government either by opposition parties or foreign adversaries of the government in power. These strikes breed unrest which leads to death (loss of lives), destruction of economic activities and natural resources. In the Sudan story, over 150,000 died, while over two million were displaced,” he said.
