Instead of Protesting, View Current Hardship As A Trial From God, Jigawa Governor Tells Nigerians

By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde 

The Governor of Jigawa, Umar Namadi, stated on Monday that the proposed nationwide protest slated for August 1 is not the solution to Nigeria’s current challenges, urging citizens to accept the hardship as a trial from God. 

The Governor expressed this opinion during a town hall meeting with 27 groups in Dutse. 

OPEN TELEVISION Naija revealed that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), among other groups, distanced themselves from the planned protest.

Governor Namadi acknowledged the economic hardship in the country and the uncertainties it has brought. He emphasized, however, that protesting is not the answer. 

“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. The protest alone will not provide the solutions; people should turn to God, repent, seek forgiveness, and ask for divine intervention on the challenges.”

Governor Namadi also mentioned that the Government has been taking steps to alleviate the hardships by providing food items, other materials, and cash distributions at all levels of Government.

The Governor also reminded the people that the Federal Government had recently approved the importation of food items into the country for five months without import duty. 

He urged Nigerians to see the hardships as a trial from God, relating that every Muslims believes in destiny, whether good or bad.

Jigawa Police Commissioner, Tijjani Abdullahi, warned those insisting on participating in the proposed August 1 protest to reconsider. 

“The security agencies in the state are combat-ready to deal with anyone who wants to breach public peace and order,” he said. 

Similarly, OPEN TELEVISION Naija gathered that the Commander of the 26 Armoured Brigade Garrison, Brig.-Gen. Timilere Makintosh, expressed satisfaction with the peaceful coexistence in Jigawa and praised the Governor’s leadership for promoting peace.

Retired Chairman of the Council of Ulama in Jigawa, Khadi Bashir Ahmad, attributed the calamities and other problems plaguing the country to the sins committed by the people. 

“Sons rape mothers, son was caught trying to kill his father. Young people are engaged in kidnappings and armed robbery, all due to the influences of hard drugs and other substances. Citizens must quickly repent and seek God’s forgiveness and His intervention,” he stated.

CAN chairman in Jigawa, Rev. Father Maurice Hassan, also urged the Government to control commodity prices to prevent unpatriotic traders from raising prices without justification. 

He declared that CAN would not participate in the protest and would instead support and promote peaceful coexistence among residents. 

The CAN chairman also called on the Government to find lasting solutions to the country's challenges.

Also, the Chairman of the NLC in Jigawa, Sunusi Maigatari, stated that his group would not join the protest because it was not part of the agenda at the last National Working Committee meeting. 

Furthermore, the Chairman of NANS, Abdullahi Garba, also distanced students from the planned protest and assured the Governor that they would not allow any group to destabilize the peaceful coexistence in Jigawa.

However, OPEN TELEVISION Naija further it's report stating that the Emir of Hadejia and Chairman of the Traditional Council of Rulers, Dr. Adamu Maje, also expressed concern over the hardships but instead, protest was not the solution. 

He emphasized that the people in Jigawa are very peaceful and law-abiding citizens. 

“If you see anyone protesting in Jigawa, that person or group of persons cannot be from the state,” he said. 

Similarly, the Emir of Dutse, Muhammad Hameem, urged Nigerians to find other ways of presenting their grievances through rightful legal channels rather than through such "undefined" protests.