Muslim Community of Oyo state has called on conveners of planned Nationwide protests to employ dialogue rather than embarking on protest.They urged conveners to employ dialogue to table their demands from government.
The Muslim community in a statement signed by Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni and
Alhaji Murisiku Abidemi Siyanbade ,Chairman and Secretary-General respectively said;
“It is never too late to have a rethink and abort the protest. There is palpable fear in the land that the protest will be hijacked and turn violent. This is all-wind that will blow no one any good.
“Let us be reminded that we only just rolled out of Boko Haram insurgency, through which Nigeria lost over $9 Billion, with over 60,000 dead and 2.5 million displaced, since 2002. We also cannot easily forget the toll of COVID-19; national and global recession; the effects of wars around the world – Ukraine/Russia, Israel/Hamas; the alarming rate of banditry and Kidnappings.
“Enemies of Nigeria, with their Nigerian cohorts, are indirectly instigating innocent youths to embark on the protest , just as they did in many other countries leading to wars: Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Syria, Yemen are countries which have suffered bloodshed and destruction from what started as peaceful protests. Many citizens of these countries have fled and abandoned their homes and have become nuisantic refugees in other lands. North East Nigeria suffers a similar fate.
“Nigeria accounts for 50% of the 442 million population of West Africa’s 16 countries. Any mishap in Nigeria will lead to implosion, as no neighbouring country can take Nigerians as refugees (God forbid).
“Those goading the youths to protest have their children in comfortable abodes in Europe and America. In fact, some of them are already fleeing Nigeria.
“Without a doubt, things are looking South in the nation. Life is becoming more and more unbearable for the citizens.
*We want to implore the conveners of these protests that, rather than embark on protest, they should employ dialogue to table their demands from government. It is never too late to have a rethink and abort the protest. There is palpable fear in the land that the protest will be hijacked and turn violent. This is all-wind that will blow no one any good.
“Just another gentle reminder! Going down memory lane, all past demonstrations in Nigeria always started peacefully, but had always been hijacked by hoodlums, area boys , robbers and miscreants:
June 12 protest started as a peaceful demonstration, but eventually became bloody; the most recent
#EndSARS was initially peaceful before it led to looting expedition, blood-bath and irresponsible insurrection. Remember, Police Stations were burnt and Police officers roasted alive. Could that have been the intention of the conveners – No. Owners of all the properties looted and destroyed during the mayhem, are yet to find their feet since then. Not to talk of government buses and properties, meant for the benefit of the people themselves, which were wantonly destroyed;
Our African brothers: Kenya and Uganda, recently had similar demonstrations that have snowballed into bloody conflicts.
“Nigeria is our common patrimony that we hold so dear; it is the envy of others, even the developed economies.
We have the 3rd largest percentage of youths in the whole wide world. You, the youths, are our hope, the lifeblood of our nation’s future, beaming with potentials and creativity.
As the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs and change makers, you have the power to change things for the better and drive progress. With your innovativeness, energy and idealism, you are the key to unlocking a bright future for yourselves and the nation. We need you, our youths. Let us avert crisis. People only see the beginning of wars, no one can determine the extent it can go. May Almighty Allah let peace continue to reign in our land.
“Even wars end on the dialogue table. But oftentimes, after astronomical destruction of lives and properties.
‘However, if we dialogue now, crisis will be averted and doors of development will open.
“Once again, let us please abort the protest plan and embrace dialogue
“Long Live The Federal Republic of Nigeria”
