Unveiling their identities, Kano State mobilisers gearing up for the upcoming nationwide protest against governance issues have also put forth their demands and directives for the mass action scheduled for August 1, 2024.
Under the leadership of Anas Adamu, at least 13 civil society organisations representing the Northern Chapter of the Nigeria Patriotic Front Movement (NPFM) are involved in the mobilisation.
In a press conference held on Tuesday evening in Kano, the group made public a communiqué outlining their commitment to pressing forward with the planned protest.
The communiqué detailed the group’s outlined demands to the Nigerian government. These include calls for a reduction in petrol prices to the range of N160 to N200, mitigation of inflation affecting food, housing, and electricity, lowering of interest rates, cost-cutting measures in governance, and addressing the prevailing insecurity in the country.
Alongside their demands, the mobilisers affirmed their resolve to proceed with the protest as scheduled and laid down specific directives to be adhered to.
Stipulated in the directives communicated through the communiqué, participants are instructed to refrain from carrying any weapons, avoid harassing individuals or engaging in violent acts. They are explicitly prohibited from any form of property looting.
“Our protest is a peaceful exercise in accordance with the rights enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”
“We urge the populace of Kano State and Nigeria as a whole to rally on August 1 and exercise their fundamental rights in voicing dissent against governance disparities across all levels of the government. Additionally, we call upon external influencers to abstain from intervening in our internal affairs.”
“Let us turn a blind eye to all vested interests capitalising on the collective hardships we endure, attempting to deter us from raising our voices against injustices in governance.”
“If we do not voice our dissent now, how can we expect the government to take our grievances seriously? It is imperative for us, as citizens, to assert our stance to prevent those in authority from undermining our concerns.”
“The protest on August 1 marks the initial phase of our movement. The momentum shall persist regardless of the disposition of those in power,” the communiqué emphasized.
The group resolutely stated, “President Tinubu must heed the citizens’ call for change promptly, before it is too late.”