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By correspondent in Minna.
Former Military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has appealed to organizers of the planned October 1st, 2024 #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest to conduct it peacefully to avoid chaos.
Abubakar has also challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to heed the cries of Nigerians suffering from hunger and frustration.
The former leader made this appeal during a meeting with Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Jabi, who led a delegation from the Campaign for Democracy and Human Rights to advocate for an end to bad governance and the hardships faced by many Nigerians.
Jabi, who congratulated Abubakar on his birthday, urged him to encourage President Tinubu to review policies that have made Nigeria a laughing stock among global economies. He stressed the urgent need for action against the escalating socio-economic difficulties in the country.
The delegation expressed concern over ineffective palliative measures, adding that they have failed to reach those in need, insisting the federal government must genuinely address the suffering of the masses, warning that anything less could lead to further unrest.
Abubakar acknowledged the rising hardship, stating that “Everybody is crying out about this situation, and it seems to be getting worse.”
He noted that the struggle many face in affording basic necessities, such as food and transportation, and called for all levels of government to implement measures to alleviate the economic burden.
He said that hat he is part of a forum that has made recommendations to the federal government for addressing these challenges, stressing that mere palliatives are insufficient. Instead, he advocated for a strategy to provide food at reduced prices to communities to better support those in need.
Regarding the upcoming protest, Abubakar urged demonstrators to prioritize peace, recalling the chaos of previous protests that resulted in looting and violence. He implored organizers to clearly communicate their reasons for protesting and to avoid exacerbating the suffering of fellow Nigerians.
He emphasized that the government should be responsive to the grievances of citizens, stating, “You cannot beat a child and at the same time prevent the child from crying.”
