Sheik Sani Yahaya Jingir, a factional leader of the Izala movement, has voiced criticism against Nigerians protesting the economic hardships stemming from Bola Tinubu’s policies.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, the cleric asserted that the protests aimed to discredit the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“Just because there is hunger now in Nigeria, Christians against a Muslim-Muslim ticket, and Shiites and hypocrites who don’t like the Muslim-Muslim ticket are now calling for you to come out and protest. May Allah undermine all planned protests,” he said.
Mr. Jingir defended his stance by highlighting historical instances of hunger, referencing a period in Makkah where severe hunger prevailed, leading people to consume dry bones.
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“Even in Makkah, there was a period in history when hunger was so severe that people were eating dry bones,” the cleric said. “Is hunger a new thing? Is this the first time hunger has plagued nations?”
Mr Jingir added, “May Allah curse those who are planning to protest.”
Mr. Jingir’s remarks follow recent protests by northern youths, who burned the Nigerian flag to denounce economic hardship and rising living costs. These protests are part of a broader trend of demonstrations reflecting the worsening living conditions across Nigeria.
Amid escalating economic challenges, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, cautioned through the Northern Traditional Council of an impending revolt against the Tinubu-led government.
Despite government assurances of “renewed hope,” the nation grapples with deepening hardship on a daily basis.