A group representing the Rebuild Arewa Initiative for Development (RAID) has warned against plans to stage a protest against President Bola Tinubu, urging those involved to refrain from taking actions that could destabilise the country.
They urged the federal government to reconsider its stance and restore the fuel subsidy to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians and stimulate economic growth.
The President of the initiative, Balarabe Rufai, disclosed this in Abuja, at the end of its stakeholders’ engagement on the state of the nation.
He said that mass actions/protests are a constitutional gift to the citizens meant to improve good governance, strengthen democracy, and hold leaders accountable.
The group, however, said the only way to quell the current national feud and multifaceted protests that could be infiltrated and cause mayhem like the #EndSARS demonstrations, is to restore subsidies on fuel, electricity, and transportation to force down prices of essential commodities.
He explained that mass actions/protests often turn out to be something else negative in third-world countries, most especially Africa.
Rufai also called on the federal government to put back into active use all the refineries before the end of 2024 to bring down fuel pump prices.
He said: “Government also needs to holistically tackle the energy crisis and boost the economy. Government should prioritise the immediate commencement of the MAMBILA power project and ensure the reliability and strict supervision to avoid reoccurrence.”
The group, which aims to promote peace and stability in Nigeria, emphasised the need for constructive dialogue and engagement rather than resorting to protests that could lead to unrest.
He added, “All the uprisings turned to riots at one time or the other have adversely and negatively affected the host countries, thereby making some ungovernable till present day. In a nutshell, Nigeria’s current situation calls for action, especially when a common man is faced with the daily challenges of basic necessity and to some extent survival.
“This organisation is highly sensitive to the challenges associated with life. However, we cannot shun away from confronting the bitter truth and taking responsibility at a critical time of need.
“While recognising the right of every citizen to peacefully protest, we remain cautious of the fact that political maturity is still lacking in our system. We are yet to develop a strong shoulder to withstand the pressure, consequences of our selfish actions, and weather the storm when the atmosphere turns bleak.
“In essence, we want to use this opportunity to caution our fellow countrymen and women, especially the younger generations, that at this very critical time, protest is not the answer to the lingering problem of our nation.”
