The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has rejected the planned 10-day nationwide protests set to commence on Thursday.
The forum’s stance was conveyed through a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tanko Muhammad-Baba.
He said, ”The ACF has been closely monitoring the discourse surrounding the planned protests, which are being organised by unidentified groups.
“Information circulating on social media attribute the protests to dissatisfaction with the socioeconomic and political challenges resulting from policies implemented by President Bola Tinubu’s administration since 2023.
”While acknowledging the constitutional rights of Nigerians to express grievances and engage in protests, ACF highlights the dire existential challenges faced by the populace.”
The ACF outlined several reasons for opposing the protests, including the lack of robust engagement with representatives concerning accountability and governance.
‘Muhammad-Baba aded, ”Incoherent and poorly articulated demands by the protest promoters.”
He added that the protests do not directly address the North’s pressing issue of debilitating insecurity.
According to the ACF, a 10-day shutdown would be excessively long, counterproductive, and disruptive. There is also the potential for protests to turn violent or be hijacked by criminals.
The ACF urged Nigerians to refrain from participating in the protests and called on authorities at all levels to address public policy shortcomings to alleviate the severe conditions facing Nigerians.
