A northern group, the Arewa Youth Ambassadors, has declared that there is no turning back on the protest against economic hardship, tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, which is set to begin on August 1 and continue until August 10 and beyond.
This call to action was announced on Monday, July 29 as the group demands the restoration of the fuel subsidy and decries the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Comrade Yahaya Abdullahi, representing the group, criticized the current administration for its lack of a clear economic strategy and accused it of causing widespread hardship and suffering among Nigerians.
Abdullahi highlighted the absence of transparency and accountability in the government’s actions, labeling them as harsh and anti-people.
The group firmly stated that no amount of blackmail or intimidation from the government or security agencies would deter them from exercising their constitutional rights to protest.
Abdullahi urged Nigerians to join the protest en masse until the government meets their demands and reverses the recent hike in fuel prices.
“Justice is the basis for a social system,” the group’s statement read. “If a nation is beset by unreasonable actions that deter citizens from the essentials for a good life and adequate healthcare, it will teeter on the brink of disharmony and frustration. In order to promote peace, a government should be honest and just. There is no path to a sustainable future but peace: the link to reason and agreement, the stimulant for development, and the base of remaining alive.”
The Arewa Youth Ambassadors emphasize that the ongoing economic crisis is a direct result of the President Tinubu-led government’s policies and stress the importance of public participation in the protests to push for necessary changes.