Nationwide Protest: CAN, Students, Youths, others reject action, say Tinubu needs time to fix Nigeria

By David Odama

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Students others in Nasarawa state have distanced themselves from the nationwide planned protest saying the president Ahmed Bola Tinubu required more time to address the Challenges confronting the Nation.

CAN in a statement signed by the state Chairman, Reverend Sunday Emmah, appealed to those behind the protest against hardship in Nigeria to bury their planned action and turn to God for intervention rather than engaging on the protest.

According to the Chairman, “CAN in the state is conscious of the prevailing hardship and tribulation faced by Nigerians as such was indeed a tempting moment for some persons”.

While acknowledging that the situation has made many families not have good square meals in a day, the Chairman however sympathized with Nigerians whom he said are experiencing hunger, economic crunch.

He however appealed to those calling for the protest to eschew such mission and channel their energy to the part of peaceful dialogue with the authority.

In the same vein, students and youths in the state said they would not be part of the protest scheduled to hold as from 1st to 10th August, 2024.

Representatives of the youth groups and student leaders in Nasarawa state, have rejected the proposed protest and opted for dialogue in the interest of peace and transformation of the various segments of sectors to make life more meaningful to the citizens of the country..

Speaking at a one-day youth and student stakeholders engagement meeting organized by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor Abdullahi Sule on youths and student matters, Comrade Shuiabu Sani, the youth groups argued that it was too early for protest inspite of the hardship in the country.

Comrade Sani, acknowledged the discomfort caused by some government policies, saying “these policies are meant to better the livelihood of Nigerians in the long run. We must drive these policies and programs that our tomorrow will be better than today”.

According to the SSA to the governor and other group leaders, dialogue was the best option out of the current situation in the country, not protest.

In their separate remarks, state chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Comrade Ja’afar Loko, state NASSA President, Comrade Hussaini Abubakar Eya, NANS JCC state Chairman, Comrade Haruna Ibrahim Sale, Comrade Grace Ashelo and others, all threw their weight behind dialogue, rather than the proposed protest.

They all agreed to go back to their various bases and talk to their families, association members and youths in their domains, not to join the proposed strike.