In a powerful State of the Nation address, Prophet (Dr.) Isa El-Buba, the convener of the Initiative for Better Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), has called on Nigerians to continue their pursuit of a better country through unity and non-violent resistance. This appeal comes in the wake of ongoing #JosEndBadGovernance protests, which have seen significant participation across the nation, particularly in Plateau State.
In his address, Prophet El-Buba expressed deep gratitude to the resilient Nigerians who have taken to the streets to demand better governance. He commended the peaceful nature of the protests in plateau State, adding that despite the challenges, demonstrators must maintain a high standard of non-violence.
“I want to thank all of you resilient Nigerians who have taken responsibility for your country and joined the #JosEndBadGovernanceProtest and similar movements across Nigeria,” he said. “I urge us to continue demanding a better Nigeria in unity and solidarity, just as we have done over the past four days here on the Plateau.”
Adding to the growing voices of dissent, former Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, also commented on the significance of the ongoing protests. Dalung highlighted several key achievements of the movement, stating, “The protest is indeed monumental. For the first time, the office of the Citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which constitutionally holds the power donated to elected officials, has been asserted. Nigerians have come out to prove that elected leaders must be held accountable. This is a great achievement because protest is now becoming a culture and tradition for the young ones.”
Prophet El-Buba then highlighted the tragic loss of life during the protests, mentioning that over 40 people have been killed in other parts of the country, largely by security forces and state-sponsored thugs. He specifically noted the attack on IBBN Youth Coordinator in Lagos, Comrade P-money Pascal, who was injured by thugs attempting to disrupt the protests.
Despite the violence, El-Buba emphasized that the movement remains committed to non-violence. “Let it be abundantly clear that we are against any form of violence and vandalization of property. Our hallmark remains non-violent resistance anytime, any day, and everywhere,” he asserted.
Reflecting on the broader state of the nation, Prophet El-Buba described Nigeria as a country on the brink, citing issues such as bad leadership, economic mismanagement, and widespread insecurity. He warned that the ongoing protests are only a glimpse of what could come if the government does not address these underlying issues.
“The government has ignored several advisories and media advocacy efforts. They have failed to address the growing disconnect between the citizens and those in power,” he said. “If the national and subnational governments do not change their ways to become responsive and responsible, what we have seen might just be the tip of the iceberg.”
El-Buba also raised concerns about the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs), questioning how they have been surviving amidst the nation’s various crises. He urged Nigerians to consider the harsh realities faced by these vulnerable populations, who have been largely forgotten by those in power.
The religious leader criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent speech, accusing him of failing to address the specific demands of the protesters. According to El-Buba, the President’s refusal to reverse what he described as “horrible and devastating” economic policies, coupled with his reluctance to cut down on excessive government spending, shows a disconnect from the harsh realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
“Instead of getting frightened by our peaceful protests and attempting to silence legitimate voices through curfews, we call on President Tinubu to rise to the occasion and address the demands of the protesters,” he said.
Prophet El-Buba outlined several demands, including the reinstatement of a corruption-free fuel subsidy regime, the reduction of excessive government spending, and the need for President Tinubu to appoint a cabinet of competent technocrats who can deliver results.
He also called for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to be empowered to investigate and prosecute high-profile corruption cases without interference, and for the transfer of VIP protection responsibilities from the Nigerian Police Force to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
Additionally, El-Buba urged the Federal Government to speed up the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government financial autonomy and to ensure the equitable rehabilitation and construction of Nigerian roads, bridges, and highways.
As the curfew imposed by the Plateau State Government begins to wind down, Prophet El-Buba assured the people that the protests would continue until their demands are met.
“To the indomitable Nigerian people, I call on all of us not to lose hope in our nation. Let’s continue in one voice to fight for the liberation of our country. Until the President listens to Nigerians, our peaceful protests will continue,” he concluded.
Former Minister, Dalung further noted that the protests have compelled the government to pay attention to the people’s concerns, something that had been lacking in previous administrations. He remarked, “The scramble by the government in the past seven days is a direct result of the ongoing protests. The hypocrisy of the political leadership in Nigeria has been exposed, and the youth have realized that the divisions of religion, ethnicity, and political party are tools used to manipulate them.”
Dalung also pointed to the growing sense of unity among Nigerians, as seen in the Plateau State protests, where Christians and Muslims have stood side by side in solidarity. “This is a great achievement,” he said, “as peaceful coexistence has become a reality in Nigeria, led by the younger generation.”
