Palpable fear is spreading across the country as some aggrieved youths plan a strike from August 1 to 10, tagged “Sóró Sókè,” in protest against economic hardship, over-taxation, electoral fraud, and the bloated allowances of lawmakers.
In response, Abdulhamid Yahaya Abba, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (Northeast), has cautioned youths, particularly those in the Northeast region, against participating in the demonstration.
In a statement yesterday, Abba urged the youths to focus on meaningful ventures and avoid distractions. He emphasized that the Bola Tinubu administration anticipated the short-term effects of necessary tough decisions, which were taken to address long-standing issues ignored by previous governments for political reasons.
Assuring the youths of the government’s commitment to long-term solutions, Abba acknowledged the current hardships faced by Nigerians and highlighted various palliative measures implemented by the government. He stressed the importance of subsistence and commercial farming as opportunities to mitigate these difficulties.
“These tough decisions were essential, despite their short-term impacts, because previous leaderships chose to sidestep them, likely for political reasons,” Abba remarked. “The importance of subsistence and commercial farming cannot be overstated as a means to alleviate the current hardships.”
He noted that reports predicting food insecurity preceded the current administration and prompted some recent policy decisions. With the farming season underway and the inauguration of the Food Systems Coordination Unit (PFSCU) by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Abba emphasized the need for youths to remain focused.
“We must stay focused and not be swayed by those who seek unrest for personal gain, especially with new opportunities from the PFSCU and initiatives by the Hon. Minister of Agriculture,” he said. “Immediate respite will come once the refineries are fully operational. The NNPC Limited is well on top of the matter, and efforts like Dangote’s must be commended. This will help reduce the cost of energy, which is vital for economic stability.”
