A coalition of Islamic clerics under the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) has called on young Nigerians to cancel their planned protest set for August, arguing that it will not produce any beneficial results.
According to Premium Times, this appeal came in the wake of a meeting between the clerics and President Bola Tinubu on Thursday.
In a bid to prevent potential civil unrest, the president conducted separate meetings with APC governors, traditional leaders from across Nigeria, and Islamic clerics.
Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, the President of JIBWIS, stated that they had relayed the populace’s concerns directly to the president.
Following their discussions, Sheikh Lau made a plea to Nigerians, both Muslims and Christians, to exhibit patience and offer prayers for the president and the nation.
The economic policies implemented by President Tinubu have led to Nigeria’s most severe cost of living crisis in decades.
Since the president’s decision to eliminate petrol subsidies last year, food prices have skyrocketed, more than doubling in some cases.
Additionally, the floating of the naira, intended to let market forces determine its value, has exacerbated the economic challenges.
Despite the hardships, President Tinubu and his administration maintain that these reforms are crucial for the long-term health of Nigeria’s economy.
They argue that these policies, though painful now, are essential for future stability and growth.
President Tinubu has consistently acknowledged the suffering caused by these reforms and their unintended consequences.
However, he has urged Nigerians to endure the difficulties, assuring them that the measures are necessary and will eventually lead to a more robust economy.
The clerics’ meeting with the president forms part of a broader strategy to maintain peace and stability in the country during these challenging times.
The group statement reads in part, “As you know, we are a media through which the less privileged in society can send their views and their concerns to the President, and Alhamdulillah, we have taken up what people are saying about hardship, insecurity, and other things.
“The president welcomed us and appreciated what we are here for and what we brought, and he promised to tackle and take care of them.
“We are appealing to Nigerians, Muslims, and Christians that they should be patient. Insha Allah, the result will all come out.”….Seë_Morë