By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Prof. Ibrahim Maqari, an Islamic cleric and member of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, has praised the planned #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest for driving substantial changes in the country within the shortest period of time.
“If it is my wish, I will tell youths ‘Thank you, well done, and I appreciate,’” Maqari stated in a video seen by SaharaReporters.
Maqari emphasised the significant impact the fear of the protest has had on Nigeria’s development.
“The fear of the protest alone has brought so many changes and development in Nigeria that with all the preaching of the clerics, and advice from other experienced politicians combined with both the administration of the previous opposition parties, Nigeria has not witnessed such achievement,” he noted.
The cleric credited the President’s proactive measures to the looming protest.
“Just because of the fear of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest, the President has done so many things that is enough for Nigerians to say ‘thank you, God,’” Maqari remarked.
He highlighted the positive outcomes from the changes, saying, “It is a very good and nice development to the country if the successes recorded as a result of the fear of the announcement of #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest can be sustained. We pray for its sustainability.”
In the video clip obtained by SaharaReporters, Maqari advised youths to understand the importance of timing in their actions.
Humans are supposed to understand that there is time to scream and there is also a time to keep quiet,” he said. He suggested that, given the significant changes already achieved, the protest should be paused to give the government time to address further issues.
“The youths should withdraw from protesting and give the government stipulated time to fix things,” he recommended. “For example, from this month to this month, the government must do this and that.”
He underscored the pivotal role of the youth in Nigeria’s progress.
“Youths are the only hope of this country now,” Maqari asserted.
He warned that reducing the pressure on the government might expose the youths’ vulnerabilities.
“Reducing backout from the protest might lead the government to know and understand the strength and weaknesses of the youths and that might cost the country more harm,” he explained.
Despite the criticisms from opposition parties, Maqari argued that only the youth could effectively voice the people’s concerns.
“No matter what or from which angle a political leader from an opposition party will say, the ruling elite will tag it a mockery.
“It is only youths that can now speak for us,” he stated.
Maqari pointed out that the youth-led movement had already led to significant legislative successes.
“Because of this protest, the Senate has passed the minimum wage bill that labour union and the civil servants have been struggling to achieve for many years all because of fear of #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest scheduled for August 1-10,” he concluded.