ACF condemns violence, looting in #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protests

The Arewa Consultative Forum has condemned the violence, looting, and destruction of public and private property that characterised the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protests.

The PUNCH reported that in some parts of the northern states of Kaduna and Kano, among others, protesters marched through the city’s major streets, waving Russian flags.

The resulting destruction of lives and property forced state governments to impose a 24-hour curfew in various states.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Mohammed-Baba, in Kaduna on Wednesday, ACF expressed grief over the loss of lives and injuries sustained during the protests, which took place across the country.

The ACF described the actions of the protesters as “inexcusable and unequivocally condemnable,” noting that they negated the reasons given by the organisers of the protests.

“Ahead of the August 2024 planned 10-day national protest, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) had raised concerns and warned against the action, fearing its potential to lead to the breakdown of law and order.

“The actions and behaviour displayed by the protesters of the poorly organised event went far beyond permissible or reasonable limits and actually contradicted even the nebulously conceptualised reasons given by the faceless organisers of the action.

“The looting, arson, vandalism, and general brigandage were totally inexcusable, as was the waving of the Russian flag, which was inexplicable and unequivocally condemnable;

“Predictably, locations in Northern Nigeria were particularly hit by such negative outcomes.

“It is inescapable that over time, and especially in the last 14 months of the current political administration in Nigeria, there has been a generalised discontent, frustration, anger, and disillusionment regarding the trajectory of public policy planning and implementation,” the forum said.

Furthermore, the forum expressed concern over the widespread discontent and frustration among Nigerians regarding the government’s handling of public policy planning and implementation.

The ACF, therefore, urged the Federal and state governments to engage with citizens and respond to their grievances, calling for immediate consultations on the current trajectory of public policy.

The forum also recommended the entrenchment of accountability and good governance principles, a robust anti-corruption drive, and dynamic public policy engagement between citizens and government.

“As Nigeria counts the sordid costs of the protests, the ACF extends condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who lost their lives; commiserates with the injured, and sympathises with those whose properties were looted or damaged during the protests,” the statement added.