From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani has called on the people of the State to jettison the planned nationwide protest over socio-economic hardship in the country, saying that President Bola Tinubu is working round the clock to clean up the economic mess he inherited from previous administrations which should not be visited on him through protest.
Addressing stakeholders at a meeting on the state of the nation on Monday, Governor Sani however admitted that implementation of some policies has been painful, but that the pains are however temporary, adding that protest will not be the solution.
This was even as the governor went on memory lane to remind the people that Kaduna State cannot afford another round of bloodshed under the pretext of protest against perceived bad policies of government after the year 2000 Sharia crisis, the 2011 post-election violence, the 1987 and 1992 Zango Kataf communal clashes that led to massive killings and destruction of property.
“I have called this meeting to engage deeply with you and to urge you not to join the planned protest in the interest of our stability and progress.
“We acknowledge very sincerely that Nigerians are going through economic difficulties. We are grappling with severe economic strains occasioned by years of economic mismanagement, corruption, and lack of accountability. President Tinubu has the unenviable task of cleaning up the mess left by previous administrations and resetting the economy for the good of our country and people. The President has come up with policies geared towards reinventing the economy and putting the country back on the path to sustainable growth and development.
“The implementation of some policies, we must admit, has been painful. The pains are however temporary. The terrible economic situation the country was plunged into required surgical operation. The President has demonstrated courage in carrying out his operation on the economy. We are making steady progress. We must support the President in his patriotic efforts at revitalizing the economy and putting smiles back on the faces of Nigerians.
“In Kaduna State, we have committed ourselves to rebuilding trust, making our state safe and secure, building/rehabilitating infrastructure, and bringing succor to the poor, vulnerable, and underserved. Our pro-people and pro-poor policies have been impacting positively on our people.
“The Federal and State Governments have been unrelenting in addressing the nation’s developmental and security challenges. The nationwide mobilization for protests is therefore unnecessary, ill-timed, and in bad taste. In times of economic emergency, all hands are expected to be on deck. Patriots support their leaders as they work to pull the economy out of the woods. It is not time for the manipulation of fault lines and political differences in the furtherance of personal or group interests. It is a time to think deeply about the possible consequences of our planned actions.
“Just as calls for protests are growing, with many drawing inspiration from the events in several African nations, we cannot ignore our unique context and then proceed to hurt ourselves. Let us narrow things down to our state. We are experienced residents of Kaduna. We have the evidence to guide us. We know the tensions, and we know the history. We know the antecedents of notable “protests” and where they left us in the past. Practically every notable upheaval we have experienced in this state in the last 25 years began as a “protest”.
“On Monday 21 February 2000, what began as a protest in Kaduna State, led to over 5000 deaths in about 48 hours.
8. Similarly, In 2011, what began as a free and open protest over presidential election results spilled over into an avalanche of bloodshed. The EndSARS protest of four years ago is very fresh in our memories. This too, was wickedly hijacked, and twisted into a festival of looting and destruction, with loss of life and limb in many parts of Kaduna State.
“Going further back, the carnage that erupted in Kaduna in 1987 and 1992, began with people trying to come out to express themselves and to protest certain issues.
“Recent history has given us enough evidence. We are aware that there are dark sections of our society that are too happy to seize on the honest disaffections of well-meaning Nigerians. These elements have no concern for good governance or improving the plight of citizens. They are driven purely by their hate and selfishness, and they have no qualms whatsoever about messing up our collective reality.
“How then can we casually welcome what we know to be a trigger of violence, death, and destruction in our midst?
In our current context as a state, we are grappling with the security challenges of banditry, insurgency, and kidnapping. We are wide awake to the enduring effects of insecurity on the socio-economic life of our citizens; threats to food security, education, and healthcare delivery, threats to civic freedom and social cohesion, and especially the threat to our rural economy.
“We are confronted with the movement of small arms and light weapons between our sister frontline states affected by banditry, which gives momentum to the activities of bandits and insurgents. These arms are also waiting to be eagerly deployed by agents of destruction as soon as a protest goes astray. The reckless use of our freedom, to happily ignite what is a sitting gunpowder keg is an ill-advised course of action at this point in our statehood.
“It is with pleasure and a deep sense of responsibility that I address you today. Since the inception of our administration, we have demonstrated total commitment to nurturing strategic engagements with our citizens. We are your servants and must at all times consult you on key governance and national issues. Your welfare and security are our topmost priorities.
“In the last few weeks, some faceless groups have been perfecting plans to stage nationwide protests under the guise of demanding good governance. Their strategies and tactics give cause for worry. People involved in genuine struggle or agitation cannot operate like cultists. There is something sinister about their plans.
“As a Government, we are not leaving things to chance. In a bid to complement existing efforts towards cushioning any untoward impact of the proposed protest, I have since directed the Overseer of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs to work closely with the heads of security agencies on a constant review of the security situation and to report to me for prompt and relevant action.
“At this time, our peace and stability are fundamental. The current times demand deep introspection, sound reasoning, a high sense of patriotism, and sacrificing for the collective good. It is therefore imperative for us to tow the path of wisdom and focus on the brighter future that is in sight. I implore you, our dear stakeholders, to hold our peace dear. Protect it, refuse to join in the planned mass action, and we will be the better for it”. Governor Sani said.
