Hardship: Group warns youths on planned protests, says Nigeria yet to recover from EndSARS scars

A group, Self Reliance for Physically Challenged Traders of Nigeria, has warned against plunging the country into chaos through violent protest.

A statement issued on Monday by Comrade Munnir Shehu and Alhaji Yakubu Ibrahim, Chairman and Secretary of the group, while reacting to the planned protests by youths against president Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led administration on alledged hardship posed on the country through his new policies and reforms in an open letter on “the negative impacts of youth protest against president Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.

In the letter, the group noted that Nigeria is yet to recover from the scars posed on the nation by the 2021 EndSARS protest, stressing that such the government must put up appropriate measures to stop any protest that would lead to the breakdown of laws and order.

The group further disclosed that the disability group would try everything possible to mobilize it’s members both for self defence and for the integrity of Nigeria, adding that embracing constructive dialogue remains panacea to solve Nigeria’s problem and not protest.

“We, the self-reliance for Physically Challenged Traders of Nigeria, are compelled to urgently address the recent calls for youth protests against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We firmly believe that such actions pose a significant and imminent threat to our nation’s stability, unity, and progress, and could potentially plunge our country into chaos, comparable to the destabilization seen in other nations experiencing similar unrest.

“Let it be known that if these protests proceed, we will mobilize massively across the country to defend our rights and the integrity of Nigeria. Protests of this nature are not only unproductive but also dangerously destabilizing, ” the statement explained.

The group stated that the risk of plunging the nation into chaos, undermining the very fabric of the society, and inflicting harm on all citizens, especially the physically challenged community who are often the most vulnerable during times of unrest, said that they do not want to experience the turmoil and violence that occurred during the EndSARS protests, which left deep scars on the nation.

The statement called on the youth and all concerned citizens to consider the potential consequences of their actions, saying that the government has taken significant steps to address the pressing issues facing the nation with the introduction of student loans, designed to make education more accessible and attainable for all, and the proposed ₦70,000 minimum wage, aimed at improving the standard of living for workers and their families.

It added that the Npower program, which has provided valuable employment and training opportunities for countless Nigerians, will continue to be a cornerstone of the government’s efforts to combat unemployment and enhance skills development, stressing that all outstanding issues related to the program will be resolved, and the stipends will be increased from ₦30,000 to a higher, more sustainable amount, ensuring that participants receive fair compensation for their contributions.

The group appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fill the existing ministerial vacancies promptly by appointing qualified individuals to the crucial positions to enhance the efficiency of the government’s operations and ensure that all sectors are functioning optimally.