Zamfara CSO groups declare withdrawal from planned Nationwide Protest
From Ibrahim Kaulahi, Gusau
Zamfara State Coalition of Civil Society Organizations groups (Zamfara Indegenes Enlightment Forum) has declared total withdrawal from the upcoming planned nationwide protests considering the fragile situation the found itself as a result of the lingering insecurity that bedeviled the state.
This was made known by Comrade Tanimu Abdullahi who spoke on behalf of the CSO’s with newsmen in Gusau Zamfara State capital, saying the state has made significant strides in recent times towards achieving peace and stability.
Tanimu positioned that, given the sensitive nature of the situation in the state, participating in the protest could jeopardise these hard-won gains and disrupt the ongoing peace-building efforts, adding that, “It is imperative to prioritise the safety and well-being of our communities during this delicate period.
“The Zamfara Indigenes Enlightenment Forum (ZIEF) remains committed to advocating for positive change and social justice, but we believe that these goals must be pursued through well-organized, peaceful, and structured means.
“It becomes more challenging to measure the success of the protest. Protesters may have different interpretations of the protest, leading to fragmented efforts and a lower likelihood of achieving meaningful change.
“We express our gratitude to all those who have supported our stance and encourage continued dialogue and collaboration towards meaningful and constructive solutions for all pressing issues facing our nation.
“It has become evident that the national protest lacks the necessary structure and organizational framework required to ensure a coordinated, peaceful protest. Without a clear leadership hierarchy and operational plan, the protest risks descending into disarray, which could undermine its intended objectives and lead to violence.
Our organization has observed that absence of well-defined goals can lead to confusion and disorganization among the protesters.
This lack of coordination can cause logistical problems, such as difficulties in planning routes, managing crowds, and ensuring safety of both the protesters and general public. When objectives of the protest are not well defined, there is a greater chance that the protest may devolve into violence.
The Forum has admitted that the high cost of living has caused untold hardship to many Nigerians. The majority of Nigerians could not afford medical bills, rent, school fees for their children, or three meals a day. Hundreds of industries were either shut down or relocated to other countries due to unfavourable economic policies, and subsequently, thousands of people lost their jobs.
However, after exhaustive deliberation and consultation on the planned nationwide protest with various stakeholders such as youth and women groups, traditional rulers, business communities, community leaders, and tribal leaders, among others, the Zamfara Indigenes Enlightenment Forum (ZIEF) has decided to withdraw from the upcoming national protest for the overall interest of Zamfara State.
