Arewa Community Declines Participation in Nationwide Protests; Give Reasons
The Arewa Community and traders in Lagos State have announced their decision to avoid involvement in the upcoming national protests. They have called on their members to refrain from participating in what they describe as “sponsored protests by anonymous groups.”
The group expressed their opposition to the protests, arguing that there is no current need to protest against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, especially given the ongoing positive changes and people-focused policies being implemented.
Alhaji Shehu Usman, leader of the Arewa Community and Traders, made the group’s stance clear during a press conference at Airport Hotel in Ikeja. He emphasized that his community rejects any plans to disrupt Lagos State and urged all members to stay away from the demonstrations.
Usman stated, “We are aware that some politicians and their backers, under the pretext of protesting economic hardships, aim to undermine the democratically elected government of President Bola Tinubu. We are concerned about these faceless sponsors who seek to use the #EndBadGovernance protest as a cover for potentially violent and criminal actions.”
He further noted, “While we recognize the right to peaceful protest, we cannot support actions that aim to target Lagos State, which is President Tinubu’s home state. The recent memories of the 2020 EndSARS protests, which resulted in significant property damage, are still vivid. We want to avoid any further destruction of public and private property in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial and economic hub.”
Usman asserted that the Arewa Community and Traders will stand firmly against any protests against President Tinubu within Lagos State, emphasizing their commitment to peace and stability.
Hajiya Fatima Bako, Arewa Women Leader in Lagos State, also voiced her opposition, stating, “We reject the national protest because we prioritize peace in Lagos State and Nigeria. We are firmly against the protest and urge all our members to abstain from participating.”
