The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has strongly cautioned the federal government, stating that it would be a “grave mistake” to overlook the root causes of the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
From August 1 to 10, Nigerians protested against economic hardships, calling for critical reforms, including a leaner government, the reinstatement of the petrol subsidy, food security, and fiscal discipline.
ACF spokesperson Tukur Muhammad-Baba, in a statement released on Wednesday, attributed the protests to the selfish and corrupt practices of those in power. He urged government officials to adopt modest lifestyles and manage public funds responsibly to ease the nation’s economic challenges.
Muhammad-Baba stressed the urgency of addressing the dire conditions that sparked the protests, highlighting widespread issues such as lack of education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and basic necessities. He also pointed to the ongoing insecurity in the country as an exacerbating factor.
The ACF called on President Bola Tinubu to fulfill his promise of initiating a nationwide dialogue to address these pressing issues. The forum emphasized the importance of inclusive consultations involving representatives from various sectors, including community organizations, interest groups, and religious leaders.
The ACF also advocated for greater transparency and accountability in government-citizen engagement and supported a revitalized anti-corruption campaign at all levels of government. In addition, the ACF commended the Russian embassy for quickly clarifying its non-involvement in the protests and condemned the looting and destruction of property by hoodlums during the demonstrations.
