Civil society organizations have called on the Nigerian Federal Government to heed the concerns of its citizens and address the growing economic hardships, urging protesters to shelve their plans to demonstrate.
The plea was made during a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ Kano council by Adeyemi Aremu from the Civil Society Organization for Conflict Resolution in Nigeria, alongside Comrade Marafa Garba of the Wazobia Conflict Resolution and Peace Advocacy Initiatives.
“We have heard that some individuals plan to use the protests to foment trouble,” said Aremu. “Life is becoming very difficult for people. People are hungry, and they should be given a chance to voice their concerns peacefully.”
Garba emphasized the role of their organizations as professional conflict resolution managers, highlighting the widespread belief among Nigerians that they are suffering from economic challenges. “Nigerians believe there is suffering from here and there. Properties acquired meaningfully could be destroyed if unrest ensues,” he warned.
The groups are actively working to engage with the federal government, aiming to present the grievances of the populace directly. “We are working on the ground to meet with the federal government and table our concerns before them,” Aremu stated. “We will go back to our communities and live peacefully, but we must tell the President the truth—the pain is on us.”
As they continue to consult with authorities, the organizations stress the importance of addressing public grievances to prevent further escalation and ensure the well-being of the Nigerian people.
