Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has called on Nigerians to view the current economic challenges as a test from God rather than resorting to protests. Speaking at a town hall meeting in Dutse on Monday, the governor emphasized that protests are not the most effective way to address the country’s issues.
The meeting, attended by representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), saw these groups distancing themselves from the planned nationwide protest set for August 1.
Governor Namadi, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), acknowledged the economic difficulties facing the nation but encouraged citizens to find alternative ways to express their grievances. He suggested that prayer and seeking divine intervention would be more beneficial.
“There are many ways people could express their grievances; people are at liberty to display their grievances through protest under democratic dispensation, but that isn’t the most effective way to address the problems,” Namadi said. “The protest alone will not provide the solutions; people should turn to God, repent, seek forgiveness, and divine intervention on the challenges.”
The governor highlighted the government’s efforts to mitigate the hardship, including the distribution of food items, materials, and cash. He also noted that the federal government had approved the importation of food items without import duty for five months to alleviate the situation.
Namadi urged Nigerians to accept the hardships as a trial from God, referencing the Islamic belief in destiny.
Meanwhile, Jigawa’s Police Commissioner, Tijjani Abdullahi, issued a warning to those considering participating in the protest, stating that security agencies in the state are prepared to maintain public order and peace.
“The security agencies in the state are combat-ready to deal with anyone who wants to breach public peace and order,” Abdullahi said.