... NEF spokesman explains northerners' participation after shunning #EndSARS protest under Buhari in 2020
The active participation of northern states in the hunger protests left many surprised.
It is so given that, historically, the region is not known to be the epicentre of anti-government protests. Recall the 2020 #EndSARS protest which majorly took place in the southern states under the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari, a northerner.
That northern states took part in the latest protests under President Bola Tinubu, a southerner, while shunning #EndSARS protest under Buhari, has forced many to think that our fault lines, as a nation, are widening.
Spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Abdulaziz Sulaiman, who spoke in his capacity in this interview, identifies hunger, marginalisation and endemic poverty as reasons the North is boiling. He also speaks on other underlying factors. Excerpts:
The North didn't participate in the EndSars Protest, but became active in hunger protests. What is the reason?
We have not yet discussed the matter at the level of the NEF, but as a conscious northerner, I am aware that the ongoing hunger protest in Nigeria has garnered widespread attention, with citizens from various regions of the country actively participating in demonstrations calling for an end to food insecurity and rising prices of essential goods.
Notably, the Northern region of Nigeria has been particularly active in supporting the protest, with many of its youth taking to the streets to demand government action to address the food crisis in the nation and most importantly the prevalent security situation in the region.
But why are the protests more pronounced in the North than in other regions?
There are several factors that can help explain why the Northern region has been so deeply involved in the hunger protest. First, Northern Nigeria has long been known for its high levels of poverty and pervasive insecurity, with many communities in the region struggling to access nutritious food on a regular basis.
The region is also home to a significant number of smallholder farmers who have been adversely affected by the activities of insurgents and bandits that have negatively impacted crop yields and livelihoods.
As a result, many residents of the Northern region have been forced to contend with food shortages and soaring food prices, leading to a sense of frustration and desperation that has fueled their participation in the protest.
Moreover, the North has historically been marginalised and underserved by successive governments, with many communities lacking access to basic infrastructure, healthcare, and educational opportunities.
This pervasive sense of neglect and marginalisation has contributed to a deep-seated sense of disillusionment and anger among the youths of the region, who view the ongoing food crisis as yet another manifestation of the government's failure to prioritize the needs of its people.
Some claim northern youths who appear to be driving the protests in their states are being used. How true?
By participating in the hunger protest, the youths of the North are not only expressing their anger at the government's inaction but also asserting their rights to security and a decent standard of living.
What do you think are the implications of this reawakening in the North?
The implications of the active participation of the Northern region in the hunger protest are profound and far-reaching. First, it has exposed the levity of the successive northern elite after the first republic leaders.
The protests also served as a powerful reminder of the need for urgent action to address the root causes of food insecurity in Nigeria, including poverty, and inequality.
By drawing attention to the plight of marginalised communities in the Northern region, the protest has helped to elevate the voices of those who are most affected by the general and pervasive insecurity and food crisis and demand more equitable and sustainable solutions from the government.
Solidarity
The protest has also highlighted a new spirit of unity and solidarity among different regions and communities in Nigeria. The fact that residents of the Northern region have joined forces with citizens from other parts of the country to demand change underscores the need for collective action and collaboration in the fight against food insecurity.
By standing together in solidarity, Nigerians have shown that they are willing to put aside their differences and work towards a common goal of building a more just and equitable society for all.
The feeling in some quarters is that since the North kept quiet during Buhari's tenure, the sudden reawakening may be as a result of the fact that a non-northerner is the president. What do you make of it?
The notion that the recent resurgence of protests in the North is solely due to the fact that a non-northerner is currently the president is a misguided one. It is important to acknowledge that the North did not remain quiet during President Buhari's tenure, as there were various voices of dissent and criticism from within the region itself.
As a member of the Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, I vividly remember how we protested and criticized the Buhari administration for its shortcomings and failures.
The Northern Elders Forum and other sections of the northern political class, Ulama, and intelligentsia also voiced their dissatisfaction and in some cases even called for the president's resignation.
Notably, individuals like Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Buba Galadima, and Najatu Mohammed were among the most consistent critics of the Buhari government, all hailing from the North.
Their relentless efforts to highlight governance failures and demand accountability demonstrate that dissent from the North was indeed present throughout Buhari's tenure, highlighting that it was not monolithic support for Buhari within the region.
The key factor to consider in the recent protests is the timing and shifting dynamics of the political landscape.
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You also need to look at the level of frustration, the severity of the situation, and the extent of mobilization which have all contributed to the current wave of protests.
It is crucial to recognize that the #EndSARS protests, which largely originated in the South, were driven by specific concerns regarding police brutality, while the #EndInsecurity protests in the North also reflected regional challenges.
The convergence of interests, particularly regarding the issue of hunger which affects all regions, has led to the observed increased participation from the North in the current protests.
The current protests highlight a collective desire for change and accountability that transcends regional boundaries, emphasizing the need for a united effort to address the challenges facing Nigeria.
The unity of purpose in the current protests can be attributed to a convergence of interests against common issues such as hunger and insecurity, which transcend regional boundaries.
It is not merely a reflection of dissatisfaction with the current president's ethnicity but rather a response to systemic failures that have impacted all Nigerians, regardless of their background.
It is important to understand the nuanced reasons behind the recent protests in the North and not reduce them to simplistic explanations based on ethnicity.
The voices of dissent within the region have always existed, and the current mobilization is a reflection of broader concerns that cut across geographical divides.
