Hunger protest: EndSARS scars still with many, says Kwara gov

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said the people of the state are very peaceful and thoughtful and will avoid any action that may disrupt the peace of the state or cause the destruction of lives and businesses.

This is following growing calls for nationwide protests against economic hardship under the slogan #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria. The protest is scheduled for August 1–10, 2024.

“I’m confident that the people of Kwara, whether old or young, understand that challenges of life are not to be tackled through actions that may cause further damage or have negative consequences for themselves, their families, our state, and our country,” the governor said in a statement by his spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye, on Friday.

“Kwarans learn from history. Together as a people, we faced the horror of the ENDSARS protest that some roughnecks used as a smokescreen to loot properties, and businesses, and attack innocent citizens. We had to deploy scarce resources to support many of the businesses that were ruined so that no further job losses would be recorded. The scars of ENDSARS still remain with many families today.

“I understand that many of our citizens want faster actions to ease the economic situation. This is a valid concern to which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all of us in government continue to respond through multidimensional approaches. However, the worst we can do to ourselves at this time is to adopt any action that may worsen things, especially for businesses or public infrastructure put in place to serve all of us.”

The governor, however, urged young people, social media influencers, and opinion moulders, to help mobilise for national growth, improved socioeconomic development, and stability rather than protest.

He said, “Let us avoid any action that may end in collective regret, loss of lives, or destruction of our common patrimony. A protest of any kind, however well-intentioned, may trigger destructive actions. Let us not give in to whatever temptations set our state or country on the path of instability.

“I commend the different stakeholders in the state, including community associations across the state, for mobilising for peace and stability. That is the way to go as our challenges will not disappear when we turn against one another. Our challenges are better discussed and steadily resolved in an atmosphere of peace and stability.”