The President of the National Harmonized Traders Union, Dr. Bature AbdulAziz, has urged traders and marketers across the nation to refrain from participating in the planned August protests against President Ahmad Bola Tinubu’s administration due to economic hardships.
Dr. AbdulAziz also advised members to prevent their children and relatives from joining the protests, warning that such actions could potentially lead to the disintegration of Nigeria.
In a press release issued in Kano, Dr. AbdulAziz expressed concerns that the protests could exacerbate the current economic challenges and create a serious crisis in the country. Citing the #EndSARS protests as an example, he noted that many traders suffered losses, including deaths, looting, and the destruction of their businesses.
“We are not against peaceful protests, but in Nigeria, peaceful protests often turn violent. When people, especially youths, take to the streets, the outcomes are usually devastating,” Dr. AbdulAziz stated.
He also pointed to historical examples like Yugoslavia, where prolonged protests led to division and greater destitution for its citizens.
“We share the pain and agony of Nigerians facing the current economic hardships. However, allowing the government time to address the issues is preferable to creating additional problems that could set the country back 100 years,” he added.
Dr. AbdulAziz urged the government to take swift action to alleviate the economic suffering, suggesting that clear and visible efforts to address the situation could pacify the public and prevent the planned mass protests.
As the National President of the Patriotic Elders for Peace and Unity, Dr. AbdulAziz called on parents to engage in serious discussions with their children to dissuade them from participating in any protests that might threaten the country’s unity.
He warned that “enemies of Nigeria” might exploit the protests to destabilize the nation, emphasizing that responsible citizens and parents have a crucial role in preventing such outcomes.
“We call on President Ahmad Bola Tinubu’s government to intensify efforts to alleviate the pain, hunger, and hyperinflation affecting many households. While we appreciate the distribution of 20 trucks of rice to each state, more substantial interventions are needed,” Dr. AbdulAziz concluded.
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