Nigerian Muslim group urges prayer over protests, warns of destruction seen in Libya, Sudan, Ukraine

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has issued a stern warning urging Nigerians to reconsider. The planned protest, tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, aims to address food insecurity, inflation, abject poverty, and escalating national security challenges.

In a statement released on Friday, the group’s Secretary General, Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, acknowledged the genuine discontentment and disillusionment among Nigerians but cautioned against the severe consequences of such protests. Drawing parallels with the aftermath of protests in Libya, Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, Tunisia, Sudan, and even the US Capitol Hill incident, the JNI emphasized that protests often lead to further destruction and instability rather than the desired reforms.

“Arising from the recent calls and counter-calls for protest in Nigeria, occasioned by food insecurity, inflation, abject poverty, and escalating national security challenges, it becomes very worrying and requires immediate attention,” the statement read.

The JNI appealed to protest conveners, their supporters, and the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to engage in critical and realistic dialogue to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.

The Sultan of Sokoto urged Nigerians to reflect on the negative outcomes of protests in other countries and to consider alternative ways to achieve good governance. “Nigerians no doubt are passing through difficult challenges, but protest might not be the panacea,” he cautioned.

The JNI also highlighted the importance of food security, drawing from the Glorious Qur’an 106:4, and called on the Nigerian government to take more proactive measures to secure the country. This includes providing subsidized farming materials, promoting industrialization, and creating self-sustaining agro-businesses across the six geopolitical zones.

The group emphasized the need for enhanced quality education, particularly in primary, technical, and vocational sectors.

In times of challenge, the JNI urged Nigerians to turn to prayer and humility. “The Qur’anic guidance in trying moments remains thus ‘when the suffering reached them from us, why then did they not learn humility?’ Qur’an 6:43,” the statement added.

The JNI concluded with a call for continued prayers for Allah’s intervention, guidance, protection, good health, and peace for all leaders, and for tranquility to prevail in Nigeria. “The Prophet (peace be upon him) said ‘supplication is a weapon of the believer and the light of the heavens and the earth.’ Let’s therefore be in continued prayers for Allah’s apt intervention,” the statement emphasized.