By Doris Isreal Ijeoma
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has advised Nigerians to consider the current economic hardship as a test from God, rather than resorting to protests.
The governor, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made this statement on Monday during a town hall meeting with 27 groups in Dutse.
The meeting, which included representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), saw the groups disassociate themselves from the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1.
Governor Namadi who acknowledged the economic challenges facing the country, said that protest is not the solution. He encouraged citizens to express their grievances through alternative means, such as prayer and seeking divine intervention.
He said, “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 for forgiveness and divine intervention on the challenges.”
The governor highlighted the efforts of the government in providing relief measures, including food items, materials, and cash distribution, to cushion the effects of the hardship. He also reminded the people that the federal government had approved the importation of food items without import duty for five months.
Namadi urged Nigerians to accept the hardships as a trial from God, citing the Islamic belief in destiny.
Meanwhile, the Police Commissioner in Jigawa, Tijjani Abdullahi, warned those planning to participate in the 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.
