ACF rejects planned nationwide protests
By AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna
Arewa-Consultative-Forum-ACF
The apex northern social-cultural group, Arewa Consultation Forum (ACF) has distanced itself from the planned August 1 nationwide protest against hardship in the country, cautioning that it could lead to destruction of lives and property and undermine the progress in the northern region.
ACF alleged the protest, which is being promoted and organised by some anonymous groups may be aimed to cause disruption which may be counter productive.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary, on Tuesday, Prof. TA Muhammad-Baba said it was unthinkable that the millions of Nigeria that feed from meagre daily earnings can sustain a close down of up to ten days.
According to the statement, none of the reasons for the planned action directly addresses the north’s most pressing current challenge: debilitating insecurity which lingers unsolved and continues to wreak havoc on citizens.
ACF however acknowledged that Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and other universal/international conventions, guarantee citizens inalienable rights to express grievances over living conditions and aspirations, including freedom of assembly, demonstration and protests.
ACF also acknowledged the current existential challenges that Nigerians live with are dire, made more glaring by the profligate, insensitive and ostentatious life styles and attitudes of Nigeria’s elected representatives and other public officials, which has resulted in palpable despair, and widespread anger for ordinary citizens.
However, ACF expressed fear about the goals of the proposed protest cannot support it. “There has been no robust engagement with representatives of the people over accountability and good governance, as for, example, with state governors, members of the National and state assemblies.
“What is discernible from the justification and demands from the promoters of the protests are largely incoherent, and poorly articulated with their likelihood of success very doubtful.”
ACF stated that under the circumstances, a rush to protest will be counterintuitive, disruptive and counterproductive. “ACF therefore unequivocally rejects the call for participation in such a course of action and calls on the people of the North to decline participation”.
The Forum called on all authorities, at the local government, state and federal levels, to urgently address obvious shortcomings in current approach to public policy-making and implementation, as such will alleviate the dire existential conditions that Nigerian citizens live with.
The Nation Newspaper Ltd.