Just 48 hours before the planned nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance, several groups have announced their withdrawal from the demonstration.
The Arewa Citizens Action for Good Leadership (ACAGL), along with 23 other mobilizing groups, has declared its intention to withdraw from the protest. At a press conference in Kano yesterday, ACAGL spokesperson Saeed Sulaiman cited potential risks, vulnerabilities, and consequences of participating as the reasons for their withdrawal. He emphasized the need to prioritize the peace and stability of Kano State and the northern region.
Additionally, the Nigerian Youth Parliament has urged young people to reconsider their plans and opt for dialogue to express their grievances. Speaker Azeezat Yishawu acknowledged the challenges faced by youths, including the impact of subsidy removal and exchange rate fluctuations, but warned that protests might not yield positive results and could lead to lawlessness and vandalism.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the Gamji Members Association (GAMA), and the Ibagun Progressive Union (IPU) have also urged Nigerians to avoid the August 1-10, 2024, protest against the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government. These three socio-cultural organizations made their appeals in separate statements issued yesterday in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Similarly, the Katsina Concerned Citizens for Good Governance has withdrawn from the protest, citing concerns about potential chaos and violence.
The National Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (NATOMORAS) has advised its members against participating in the August 1 protest. National President Alhaji Usman Buba Gwoza announced the association’s decision after careful consideration and deliberation among its members during a press briefing in Abuja yesterday.
The NOGALSS Multipurpose Cooperative Society has also supported NATOMORAS’s stance, calling on Keke NAPEP and motorcycle owners and riders to refrain from participating in the protest. President Comrade Noah Emmanuel explained that, as a key partner to NATOMORAS responsible for managing empowerment initiatives, the cooperative recognizes the significant strides the federal government has made in fulfilling its promises to the community.
