As the nationwide protests against economic hardship and poor governance continue, a significant moment occurred today in Jos, Plateau State, where Muslim protesters held their Jum’ah (Friday) prayers at the protest ground. The prayers were conducted peacefully at the Old Airport Junction, the epicenter of the ongoing demonstrations in the state.
In a show of solidarity, the Christian crowd that had gathered for the protest provided a protective circle around their Muslim counterparts, ensuring that they could observe their religious obligations in peace. This act of mutual respect and unity further emphasized the collaborative spirit of the protests in Jos.
After the prayers, Comrade Suleiman Khalid addressed journalists, emphasizing the peaceful nature of the protests in Jos. He noted, “Yesterday, I was the person that led the Zuhr prayer here on this ground, and it was a very peaceful protest. From what I observed, Jos is one of the most peaceful protests we have ever had in Nigeria. You can see a mixture of both Muslims and Christians here, united to protest against the hardship, hunger, and insecurity that we are facing in Nigeria.”
Khalid highlighted the urgency of the situation, calling on President Bola Tinubu to address the nation. “We are calling on the president to address the nation regarding this hardship we are facing. Since the inception of this government, people have been facing so many hardships. The insecurity is getting worse, and the hunger is getting worse. As everybody knows, an Englishman says that a hungry man is an angry man.”
He further pointed out the predominance of young people in the protests, saying, “Most of the people here are youths, the backbone of the nation. They are here to protest because of the difficult conditions they are enduring. If democracy is truly for the people, then the president must address the nation regarding this issue. Keeping mute doesn’t solve anything; it only brings anarchy to the nation. He must address the nation—that’s our stand.”
The peaceful conduct of the Juma’a prayers amidst the protests has been widely praised as a symbol of the unity and mutual respect that have characterized the demonstrations in Plateau State. Many see this as a positive sign that the protests, though rooted in deep frustration, can continue to be a platform for peaceful advocacy and constructive dialogue.
As the protests persist, the unity displayed in Jos serves as a powerful reminder of the shared aspirations of Nigerians across all religious and ethnic lines. The people of Plateau State, through their peaceful demonstrations and respect for one another’s beliefs, are setting an example for the rest of the country as they call for meaningful change.
