Why Northern States Joined #EndBadGovernance Protests: NEF Spokesman Explains the Anger

The active involvement of northern states in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests has caught many by surprise, given the region’s historical aversion to large-scale anti-government demonstrations. The recent protests have been particularly noteworthy, as northern states that had largely shunned the #EndSARS protests in 2020 during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration are now at the forefront under President Bola Tinubu, a southerner.

This shift has led to concerns about deepening divisions within Nigeria, with some questioning whether the country’s regional fault lines are becoming more pronounced.

Speaking on the reasons behind this newfound activism in the North, Abdulaziz Sulaiman, spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), pointed to widespread hunger, marginalization, and endemic poverty as the primary drivers. Sulaiman highlighted that while the NEF had not formally discussed the protests, the widespread participation of northern youth is a response to the region’s chronic food insecurity and the deteriorating security situation.

“The North’s active role in the hunger protests is a reflection of the severe challenges facing the region,” Sulaiman explained. “For years, the North has struggled with high levels of poverty and insecurity, with many communities facing food shortages and soaring prices. These issues have created a sense of frustration and desperation that has fueled the protests.”

Sulaiman also noted that the North has long been marginalized by successive governments, contributing to a deep-seated sense of disillusionment among the region’s youth. This sentiment has only been exacerbated by the ongoing food crisis, which many in the North view as a further indication of the government’s failure to address their needs.

When asked about allegations that northern youths are being manipulated into protesting, Sulaiman dismissed the claims, emphasizing that the protests are a genuine expression of the people’s anger and a demand for their rights to security and a decent standard of living.

“The protests have exposed the negligence of the northern elite since the first republic,” he said. “They serve as a powerful reminder of the need for urgent action to address the root causes of food insecurity, poverty, and inequality in Nigeria.”

The protests have also highlighted a growing sense of unity and solidarity across different regions of the country. Sulaiman pointed out that the participation of northern states in the protests alongside other regions underscores the need for collective action in addressing Nigeria’s challenges.

Addressing the perception that the North’s protests are a reaction to having a non-northerner as president, Sulaiman argued that this view is simplistic and misguided. He recalled that there were voices of dissent in the North during Buhari’s tenure, with groups like the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) and prominent figures such as Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed and Najatu Mohammed consistently criticizing the administration.

“The current protests are driven by a convergence of interests, particularly concerning hunger and insecurity, which affect all regions,” Sulaiman stated. “This is not about the ethnicity of the current president but rather a response to systemic failures that have impacted all Nigerians.”

In conclusion, Sulaiman emphasized the importance of understanding the complex reasons behind the protests, cautioning against reducing them to mere ethnic or regional grievances. The protests, he argued, reflect a broader call for change and accountability that transcends regional boundaries.