Why protest in Kano was full of machinations by unscrupulous elements against the NNPP government

By SULE YA’U TARIWA

For the past few days, Nigeria has witnessed one of, if not the most moiling revolt in this Fourth Republic. That’s the #EndBadGovernance protest which is currently going on in almost all the states of the federation.

There have been different perspectives of the actual reason behind the protests, one of which is incontrovertibly believed to be ‘hunger’ caused by the neoliberal anti-masses policies of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu particularly subsidy removal.

It is necessary to admit that Nigeria is indeed experiencing the most convulsive days of economic hardship, in fact, the worst of all, ranging from inflation, starvation, destitution, violation of fundamental rights of the citizens, and contravention of the established Rule of Law. And the victims of all these phenomena are the masses.

Protests that began on Thursday, have commenced and ended everywhere peacefully and calmly as they should or ought to have. The primary reason behind the struggle is to send an urgent message to the government at the center which, of course, requires an exigent response.

The main prayers of the protesters include the demand for President Bola Tinubu to review the futile policy of subsidy removal (which a few people benefit from), declare a state of emergency on inflation, and address the security challenge that has been posing a threat and uncertainty on the citizens of Nigeria.

There might, however, be more other ‘demands’, but, these as stated above, are the major and most important things that protesters must have been yearning for—from the government of Bola Tinubu. I also learned that the proponents of the ongoing struggle, have determined not to take off from the street until their demands are met.

While it is a constitutional and inalienable right of the citizens to protest as prescribed in Chapter 4, Section 39-44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of 1999 (as amended), the protest unfortunately, served as an avenue for some rabble-rousers and arsonists to achieve their political motive in Kano State.

The movement was initially going on peacefully in Kano, until clusters of unarguably sponsored rioters and political mercenaries joined and turned it into a full riot, which resulted in the vandalization of both private and public properties, stealing, and most regrettably loss of lives as reported by some reputable media houses.

Well, upon getting what occurred in Kano during that protest, I expected it to happen. This is because, everybody knows how actively determined and intensely enthusiastic the opposition parties are against the incumbent government of NNPP-Kwankwasiyya under His Excellency, Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Since losing the bid in 2023 at the poll, and equally at the court, APC syndromes in connivance with the government at the center, have never had a rest. Their everyday plan is to cause chaos and unrest; destabilize Kano, and distract the government of NNPP from serving the Kano people.

This has notably come to everyone’s knowledge. That was why they created prolonged confusion through the emirship tussle, and now took advantage of ‘peaceful protests’ towards sending hooligans to create havoc in a covert plan to attack the government of NNPP.

As Governor Kabir Yusuf lamented, he accused the ‘rioters’ of coming from Nassarawa Emirs’ Domicile, where the deposed Aminu Ado resides. The people who came out from that house were said (as testified by Governor Abba himself) to be the co-joiners of the protests, who later started to steal, vandalize, and even attempt to set the government house ablaze.

Funny enough. I wonder, how some unscrupulous elements and demagogic political incendiaries especially those from APC-Kano made themselves fools and always acted foolishly in trying to stumble over the opposition party (NNPP) even during the post-election period.

This is not politics, but rather pure madness. No amount of machination or malice can impede NNPP-Kwankwasiyya in Kano or stop Abba’s government from earning credit as the best-performing state government in Nigeria.

So, recruiting hoodlums and miscreants to cause mayhem in Kano by APC or whatever, would never resuscitate or bring them back to the governance in Kano, rather languish them into the total state of political dead-end, as people now know they are the real enemies of Kano.

Notwithstanding, as a citizen of Nigeria, I call on President Bola Tinubu to (as a matter of urgency) address the nation, and heed the demands of those protesting for peaceful coexistence.

Moreso, I advise that if people must continue to stage protests in Kano, as it may likely persist, they should coordinate themselves in such a way that no intruders or sponsored thugs are allowed to join again.

At last, the government under the amiable and exemplary leadership of HE, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf should investigate and find out the actual sponsors, conspirators as well as culprits behind Thursday’s arson in Kano. Enough of this foolishness by the enemies of Kano.

3rd August, 2024