‘It’s a trigger of violence’ — Uba Sani urges Kaduna youths to shun nationwide protest

Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, says residents of the state should avoid joining the planned nationwide protest against the economic hardship.

On Monday, youths in Niger State trooped out with placards bearing anti-government inscriptions—three days before the planned nationwide protest.

Protesters marched through the Abuja-Kaduna expressway in Suleja LGA of the state, chanting ‘Fuel subsidy must be back’, ‘Enough is enough’, ‘Stop anti-masses policies’, ‘We are not slaves in our country’, and ‘Hardship is unbearable’.

The proposed nationwide strike is slated to kick off on August 1.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Kaduna on Monday, Sani appealed to residents to remain calm amidst the demonstrations in neighbouring states.

He said many of the bloody crises in Kaduna started as protests.

“We know the antecedents of notable ‘protests’ and where they left us in the past,” he said.

“Practically, every notable upheaval we have experienced in this state in the last 25 years began as a protest.

“On Monday, 21 February 2000, what began as a protest in Kaduna State led to over 5000 deaths in about 48 hours.

“Similarly, in 2011, what began as a free and open protest over presidential election results spilled over into an avalanche of bloodshed.

“The EndSARS protest of four years ago is very fresh in our memories. This too was wickedly hijacked and twisted into a festival of looting and destruction, with loss of life and limb in many parts of Kaduna State.

“Going further back, the carnage that erupted in Kaduna in 1987 and 1992 began with people trying to come out to express themselves and to protest certain issues.

“Recent history has given us enough evidence. We are aware that there are dark sections of our society that are too happy to seize on the honest disaffections of well-meaning Nigerians.

“These elements actually have no concern for good governance or improving the plight of citizens. They are driven purely by their own hate and selfishness, and they have no qualms whatsoever with messing up our collective reality.

“How then can we casually welcome what we know to be a trigger of violence, death, and destruction in our midst?

“In a bid to complement existing efforts towards cushioning any untoward impact of the proposed protest, I have since directed the overseer of the ministry of internal security and home affairs to work closely with the heads of security agencies on a constant review of the security situation and to report to me for prompt and relevant action.”

The governor stressed that the peace and stability of Kaduna are fundamental, noting that current times demand deep retrospection, sound reasoning, a high sense of patriotism, and sacrificing for the collective good.

Sani noted that President Bola Tinubu has been tasked with restructuring the country, adding that progress is being made.