In a press conference held on Thursday in Abuja, the Arewa Initiative for Defence and Promotion of Democracy, representing amalgamated pro-democracy groups from the 19 Northern states, voiced their stance against recent protests staged in Kano and Minna.
Led by Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji, the alliance urged Nigerians to disregard what they termed as “sponsored protests” and instead support President Bola Tinubu’s administration in addressing the country’s economic challenges.
The chairperson, Prof Ma’aji, attributed the current harsh economic conditions to a legacy of issues inherited by President Tinubu from the previous administration.
He emphasized that it is premature to critique an administration only eight months into office, calling for patience and patriotism in cooperation with the government’s efforts to tackle economic and security issues.
During an extraordinary meeting at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, the group reaffirmed its solidarity with President Tinubu and pledged continued support towards the realization of his Renewed Hope Agenda.
While acknowledging the right to peaceful protest as a legitimate form of expressing grievances, they stressed the importance of adhering to lawful means.
“The solutions to the problems cannot be instantly solved but in a gradual pattern,” Prof Ma’aji remarked, highlighting the administration’s ongoing efforts to combat inflation, corruption, and insecurity including banditry and kidnapping.
The alliance affirmed its readiness to engage with the government constructively while remaining open to dialogue and cooperation to address national challenges.
