By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The duo of Abdullahi Abass and Rabiu Suleiman Bichi ,the Kano state Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC and Director General Tinubu/Shetima Campaign Council Kano State, on Friday August 2, 2024 collectively domiciled the blame for the orgy of violence, mindless looting, and vandalization visited on the commercial city particularly on day one of the #EndBadGovernance protest on the door steps of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Although, coming from the other side of the political divide, the accusation comes with a measure of accuracy, at least, to keen watchers of events ,before August 1.

Before the organizers of the August 1 protest against hunger served notice of the exercise, many indices had indicated that the ever volatile Kano was not in a vantage position to soak even the smallest pressure from the protest.

For one, the temperature of the city had  already been raised to a near boiling point by the avoidable tension, anxiety, and brick-bat occasioned by the orchestrated  royal rumble over the coveted Kano Emirate Stool.

The royal crisis which, for the first time in decades,  has brought about the reign of two Emirs in Kano, was itself ignited by ego massaging, mainly from the Governor Yusuf- led administration.

Working in concert with a somewhat lame duck and rubber stamp House of Assembly, and being prodded on by a mentor with a clear over bloated ego, Governor Yusuf on Thursday July 23,  2024,  lit the tinder box with the dethronement of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero of Kano, and four others of Gaya, Rano, Karaye and Bichi.

There unceremonious deposition paved the way for Governor Yusuf to rail road Emir Muhammad Sanusi back to the Kano Royal Seat from which he was shoved aside  in 2020.

But ,while the other deposed Emirs of Gaya,Rano ,Bichi and Karaye decided to withdraw to their shells, not so for the elder scion of late Emir Ado Bayero who opted to battle it out with the Kano State Government and Emir Sanusi.

The result has been an institutionalization of two parallel Royal Palaces with Emir Bayero holding court at the Nasarawa Mini Palace, while Emir Sanusi is holed-up at the City Palace

Governor Yusuf and his political godfathers have since located the intransigence of Emir Bayero in the Federal Government’s subtle support.

His camp has pointedly accused President  Bola Tinubu of backing deposed Emir Bayero, and by extension, fanning the royal crisis.

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP, had even chided and warned the President, that his plans of reaping a political capital from the Kano Royal debacle will boomerang.

Against the backdrop of the bad blood already generated by the Kano Royal Stool crisis between the President Tinubu- led Federal Government and the Kano State authorities, it was no surprise that Governor Yusuf, without much reflections threw his weight behind the planned nationwide protest.

His clear obsession with using the planned protest to, in the main get even  with his traducer- in-chief, the Tinubu led – administration took precedence over all other more rational considerations.

But  while Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and some others that shared in the conviction to use the planned protest to get even with the Presidency, moderated their intentions, not so for Governor Yusuf.

Perhaps, being guided by the volatile trajectory of Kano, Kwankwaso had appealed for restraint, preferring, instead, for the people to explore the ballot to remove President Tinubu in 2027.

Conversely, while receiving the Local Leaders of the nationwide protest at the Government House on Wednesday, July 31, the Kano State Governor did not only explicitly endorse the protest, but also promised to receive the protesters at the State’s seat of power.

But in toeing his preferred line, the Governor chose to gloat over, the already polarized and charged atmosphere of the state along the supporters of the two contending forces for the kano royal stool.

The result manifested on day one of the protest with the city and its innocent residents bearing the brunt of an ill  conceived executive decision.

While Governor Yusuf could not muster the courage to receive the rampaging protesters, afterall, at the Government House as thoughtlessly promised, they proceeded to loot, destroy and vandalize  several private and public properties running into billions of Naira.

Of particular note were the vandalization, and looting of the NCC-ICT multi million Naira Building and several vehicles at the State’s High Court premises among others.

In all Kano, as widely anticipated by not a few, except Governor Yusuf, bore the larger part of the the rage and violence that characterized day one of the protest .

In their statement, Abbas and Bichi noted that the open attack on the Police and other Security Agencies by Governor Yusuf contributed to the violence that engulfed the State.

They cautioned the State Governor not to allow his personal grudges against some persons, including the State Commissioner of Police, to  undermine the security of lives and properties.

Governor Yusuf while addressing the leaders of the protest had, also, berated Security Agencies in the State over what he  termed their tendencies to be undermining his authority, and taking orders only from those at the Federal level.

He pointedly accused the Security Agencies, particularly, the Police, of insubordination and disrespect to his office, among other inflammatory statements.

“It was undiplomatic for a sitting Governor to openly attack the police authority which has been rendering its duties based constitutional provisions.

Governor Yusuf’s open invitation to protesters to the Government House ,coupled with his careless comments ,which undermines the authority of the police in Kano encouraged arson, looting  and violence during the protest'” Abbas and Bichi stated .

They also accused the Governor of trying to exploit the planned protest for political gains, which unfortunately back fired to the detriment of the image and economy of the state .

With the massive destruction of both private and public properties ,it thus appear that the hunter ,has become the hunted .

By Ayodele Oni

As the EndBadGovernance protest enters third day, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) has expressed worry over the continued silence of President Bola Tinubu on the matter.

In a statement released on Saturday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP urged Tinubu to break his silence, address the nation immediately, and reassure citizens of the pressing issues affecting them.

“The PDP demands that President Tinubu immediately address Nigerians on urgent steps to reduce the price of petroleum products, stem the fall of the Naira and ensure speedy provision of food among other critical issues so as to revamp the productive sector, stimulate employment and restore stability in the polity.

“Our Party expresses concerns that President Tinubu’s silence is sending a very dangerous signal and heightening public apprehension that the All Progressives Congress (APC)

“The APC government is insensitive to the feelings of the citizens and the overall sorry state of affairs in the nation.

“It is indeed worrisome that President Tinubu could remain silent as Nigerians are on the streets demanding for good governance, protection, security and welfare, which are the primary purpose of government.

“The world is watching in horror as operatives of APC-controlled security agencies assault, shoot and kill unarmed protesters, with thugs allegedly mobilized by the APC also unleashing violence on innocent Nigerians.

“Our Party calls on President Tinubu to end his silence, immediately address the nation and reassure the citizens on issues agitating their minds particularly the reduction in the price of petroleum products and food items.

“Our Party insists that with a deft, transparent and innovative management of resources, economic potentials, comparative advantage and refining capacity, petrol should not sell more than N200 per liter in Nigeria especially with a strategic investment in gas production.

“President Tinubu should also urgently commence the process of recovering the over N50 trillion reportedly stolen by APC leaders, reduce tariffs on essential goods, cut the cost of governance, review all luxury items in his government and channel funds recovered to programmes that have direct bearing on the wellbeing of Nigerians.

“Furthermore, while calling for a thorough investigation into the reported killing of unarmed Nigerians by certain unscrupulous security operatives, the PDP urges the security agencies to ensure high level of professionalism in their duty of providing security and protection to the citizens.

“ The PDP again calls on Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding in the pursuit of responsive and people-oriented government which has eluded the nation since the coming of the APC in 2015.”

A number of organizations and people, including the two main opposition Leaders in the Country, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, had, earlier, urged Mr President to speak to the Nation on the Nationwide Protest against hunger.

By Ayodele Oni

Convener of revolution now, Omoyele Sowore and Rights Activists, Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa seem to have disagreed over the ongoing nationwide protest which entered the second day on Friday.

Sowore in his X account far away from the United States of America stated “Thank you all for staying the course in the last 24 hours since the commencement of the #endbadgovernaceinnigeria REVOLT.

“Note: the daily barricades, marches, rallies and people’s congresses should be intensified.

“We want to notify the public that in addition to street marches, those at home should engage in pot & pan protests against hunger, poverty and starvation.”

Adegboruwa in his own reaction stated that “I appeal to the protesters to withdraw themselves from their various protest grounds and to suspend the protests immediately and indefinitely, in order to give room for meaningful dialogue and engagement with the government.

“Given that the protests were said to have been hijacked by sponsored agents, it is necessary to avoid further losses and casualties.

“Notice of this protest was given many weeks ago, yet nothing was done to engage the organizers of the protests in order to address the issues raised in their charter of demands.

“It is the same way that the government ignores several strike notices issued by the Labour unions until they eventually snowball into strike actions. This should not be so.

“I therefore call upon President Bola Tinubu to directly address the nation and then engage the protesters, through their representatives.

“Thereafter, the government should set up a Committee comprising men and women of integrity to meet with the protesters to address the issues that they have raised.

“I commend the people of Nigeria who trooped out in their large numbers to join the protests and those who stayed at home in solidarity by way of peaceful civil disobedience.

“No leader should ever take the people for granted. In the peculiar circumstance of the hunger and hardship being experienced by our people across the land, the protests were more than justified.”

By Ayodele Oni

The Chief of Defence staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has advised those that are presently engaged in nationwide protest to know that there is a difference between peace and criminality.

While appealing to Nigerians to be civil and peaceful in the course of exercising their rights, he has also warned those who may want to hide under the guise of protest to perpetrate violence, to rescind their decisions

The CDS gave the warning and appeal in Abuja on Friday while briefing newsmen on the ongoing nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance.

General Musa pointed out that the Security Operatives, especially the police, have been very professional in handling the protest, calling on Nigerians to show understanding with the Federal Government.

“The government has actually shown its own commitment by upholding its promise of allowing people to associate freely. Clearly, the security forces have done extremely well and I’m very happy to mention one, especially the Nigerian police force, have shown a lot of professionalism, including where members of the armed forces had to step in.

“You can see that we have remained very professional in our conduct and we will continue to do that, as long as the citizens also understand that there is a difference between peace and criminality.

“What we saw yesterday was, at the beginning, some semblance of a very peaceful demonstration, but which was quickly taken over by a bunch of criminals that don’t mean us well.

“And if you remember, we have warned that there are individuals that are ready to cause mayhem once this starts. And so I want to appeal to Nigerians to understand that the federal government is doing the best it can for the country.

“The Federal government is present for one year and it is not possible for them to have to solve every financial, economic, security situation within one year. But I’m sure, I don’t worry, we are truthful to ourselves. Efforts have been made and have continued to be made.

“And I’ve seen policies that have been made to address the economic situation on the ground, including security situation. Things are improving. We are not where we are, but I can assure you we are heading there. And if we have the support of everyone together, we can bring total peace and the economy will grow.

“Just a few days ago, I was in the Niger Delta to also ensure that our production increases immediately so that we can have enough funds to fund our economy. So I want to call on all Nigerians to understand the government.” he stressed

On those planning to forment trouble, the Chief of Defence Staff stated that the military will not fold its hands and watch the country drift into anarchy, pointing out that the military is watching, and will step in if the situation gets out of Nigerians.

He said the armed forces and the entire security agencies will not stand by and see that to continue. “We want to warn those that are in the house, those that don’t want to listen. We will not fold our hands and see our country destroyed.

“We will take action and the action will be taken professionally. Anyone that is caught will be taken to the courts to be dealt with. And so once again, I want to thank you for coming, especially members of the media.

“And again, for the media, I want to also appeal. I noticed throughout yesterday, all the stations were hooked up to the occasion. This is not an election thing.

“We don’t give them that coverage for them to feel. Some of them are looking for just moments of being on the screen. Together, I can assure you, they are going to win. And they are winning. At least from today, we have seen the level. It has really gone down.”

By Akinwale Kasali

A Civil Society Group, CSO, under the aegis of Patriotism Awareness Forum, PAF, has condemned in very strong terms, the destruction of private and public properties, burning, looting, attack on Nigerians, Police formations  Government Houses, injuring and killing of innocent Nigerians both civilians and security operatives in some states on the first day of the ongoing nationwide protest against bad governance and hunger.

The Group termed the protest as a guerrilla protest of insurrection and anarchy, and stressed that it is saddened and pained by the wanton destruction of lives and properties.

A statement signed by the Convener of the Group, Nelson Ekujumi and the Co-Convener, Peter Claver Oparah said the Group is saddened and horrified that the faceless and unknown organizers of the guerilla protest of insurrection and anarchy, deceptively and fraudulently tagged #Endbadgovernance, achieved their goal of unleashing violence which comes with tears, sorrow and blood on the suffering Nigerian people.

It added that the Security Agencies and the Government had cautioned against it by appealing to them to come forward for dialogue and for the itinerary of the exercise of their fundamental right to protest, stressing that they could be provided adequate security to prevent a breakdown of law and order, but they remained in hiding because of their ulterior motives which came to light yesterday.

The statement reads: “This protest has come at a great cost to the Nigerian people who have had their lives cut short, maimed, businesses disrupted and destroyed and their fundamental human rights raped, yet the faceless and unknown guerrilla protest organizers claim to be protesting in the interest of the people whose economic well-being they have wickedly and insensitively undermined since yesterday, very unfortunate.

“Sadly, these agents of anarchy and destabilization shunned entreaties from all quarters, including from our revered traditional and religious leaders because their hidden intention was to inflict pain and sorrow on the people for rejecting their political interests at the polls in 2023 general elections and so, they bayed for our blood, which they satanically accomplished yesterday, very sad.

“We at PAF, as a conscientious and patriotic organization also joined our voices with those of other patriots and lovers of peace in calling on the faceless and unknown organizers of the protest of insurrection and anarchy to ensure that the protest was peaceful, though we also had our fears that peace is alien to these agents of anarchy. Even as our voices and those of other patriots fell on deaf ears, we know the organizers intended the so-called protest to achieve very devastating consequences on the Nigerian nation. We therefore thank most Nigerians for shunning the protest as the destruction and mayhem would have been unimaginable if majority of Nigerians had joined.

“Happily, we note that a huge majority of Nigerians boycotted the so-called protest, as shown by the state-by-state report that shows Nigerians in majority of states shunned the protest, we however note that the organizers and some disgruntled elements seized the opportunity to launch atrocious attacks on innocent Nigerians, businesses and entities especially in some northern states and we condemn this in its entirety. We, at PAF, and indeed most patriotic Nigerians, know that this plays to satisfy the sadistic intents of the faceless people behind this protest of insurrection and anarchy and we urge the government and relevant security agencies to fish them out to account for the damages caused in this riot.

“Despite these acts of violence on Day 1 of the guerrilla protest of insurrection and anarchy by disgruntled and unpatriotic elements, which is sad and condemnable, we congratulate and commend the mass of the Nigerian people for their resilience, patience, perseverance and understanding in shunning the politically motivated guerrilla protest despite the harsh economic conditions which they attempted to use as a decoy to incite.

“It’s a fact that Nigeria, like other countries in the world, is going through tough economic times. We are aware of the political and economic re-engineering of the Nigerian state by the present administration, which has come with great pains and inconveniences, but we plead with Nigerians to continue to be patient and show understanding as we are optimistic that the tireless efforts of the government in putting in place programmes and policies to address our economic challenges in the long run for a better, peaceful and prosperous Federal Republic of Nigeria, will manifest soon”, the statement reads.

The group further  commended the nation’s Security Agencies for their civility and professionalism in curtailing the spate of the unprovoked and condemnable violence unleashed by the protesters across the states and call on them to continue to display such high level of discipline.

“We urge all Nigerians to continue to shun the protest and any such efforts to incite them to destroy the country, as the so-called protest intends

“We also call on the police authorities to professionally investigate all acts of violence and ensure that perpetrators are brought to book for their actions, just as we enjoin them to ensure that the protesters do not in any way again, infringe on the rights of Nigerians in the exercise of their protest.

“We urge all peace-loving Nigerians who are not part of the guerrilla protest to remain calm, unprovoked and go about their lawful businesses and not allow some politically and economically disgruntled person(s) and group(s) to continue to undermine their rights to economic livelihood and the economy of the country”.