Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, has provided insight into the upcoming #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest, scheduled from August 1 to 10, amidst national debate over its implications and legitimacy.
The protest, inspired by the gruelling hardship under the President Bola Tinubu-led government, has elicited a spectrum of opinions across Nigeria.
Gumi in a video clip obtained by SaharaReporters classified Nigerians into four groups regarding their stance on the protest.
He noted, “The first group consists of government officials, authorities, and security agencies, who represent less than 25 percent of the population. This group generally opposes the protest because they benefit from the status quo.”
“The second group includes civil servants, business people, and tradespeople, who face economic difficulties.
“These individuals are largely in favor of the protest due to their financial struggles,” Gumi explained.
The third group, comprising politicians and other leaders, might support the protest for various reasons. “Educating this group on the potential negative consequences of the protest may be more harmful than beneficial,” Gumi warned.
Regarding the protest’s potential outcomes, Gumi questioned whether it would result in positive change or further instability. “If the protest leads to constructive results, it is justified. However, if it causes widespread damage, reconsideration is necessary,” he advised.
Gumi also addressed misconceptions about Islamic teachings on protests. “Islam does not prohibit peaceful protests aimed at demanding justice.
“It is permissible as long as it does not harm others,” he clarified, countering some clerics’ claims that Islam forbids such demonstrations.
SaharaReporters had reported that the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, cautioned Nigerians against embarking on the planned nationwide protest against hardship in the country tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.
The Islamic group in a statement issued on Friday by its Secretary General, Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, had said that the discontentment and disillusionment being expressed by Nigerians are real and needs to be tackled head-on by the government but warned imminent consequences of the planned protest
The JNI had said, “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.
“Therefore, JNI under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, with all sense of responsibility appeals to the protest conveners, their covert and overt benefactors, as well as other critical stakeholders and the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to urgently engage in critical and realistic dialogue before the situation degenerate or snowballs into an uncontrollable scenario.
“Nigerians no doubt are passing through difficult challenges, but protest might not be the panacea.”
