by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
PLATEAU STATE: In the city of Jos the Plateau State capital, the fourth day of protest by citizens of Nigeria, today’s (Sunday) events took on a more solemn tone, as the Church Service was celebrated at the venue of the protest – at the Old Airport Round-about in Jos.
At the venue of the protest, Prophet Isa Elbuba and Solomon Dalung remain committed to the Nigerian cause, calling for peaceful coordination and obedience to instructions.
Protesters at the venue of the Sunday Service are both Christian and Muslim. Prayers were offered, and in a display of interfaith solidarity.
Citizens of the State expressed disappointment and frustration over the presidential broadcast about the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest, saying, “The President’s broadcast failed to address pressing national issues.”
The protesters also ‘surrendered’ the President to God, for God’s divine intervention to the problems facing the nation.
Our correspondent reports that, the prayers were offered, and sermons from both Christian and Muslim clerics urged the President to reform his economic policies and improve the livelihood of Nigerians.
The achievements of the President, such as improved economic conditions, fertilizer provision, palliative measures, reduced tariffs on rice and food items, increased foreign reserve, and reduced federal loans, did not go down well with them, as speakers criticized the President’s speech for not addressing key issues like reinstating (fuel) subsidy, reduce electricity tariffs and high cost of foodstuff, and TV rights.
The Christian and Muslim clerics during the Service both assured to remain united and committed in their quest for a New Nigeria that would benefit all citizens, and further assured the gathering of their commitment to offer the President to God to address their concerns.
Those leading the protest promised to hold a meeting and discuss next steps, and will provide feedback to the protesters on their resolution.
Our correspondent observed that, the protest has since become an avenue to foster unity and peaceful coexistence among people of different religions, political and ethnic backgrounds with a commitment to reject divisive tendencies.
Some people interviewed by our newsmen appealed to the government to address biting economic policies, saying, they are not against the government, but against policies unfavorable to citizens.
After the Sunday Service, the protesters marched to the State Polytechnic, Jos campus, and back to their venue at the Old Airport Junction, signifying their commitment to a united Nigeria.
The Joint Security operatives were visible in strategic locations to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
Despite the president’s appeal for dialogue and a cessation of the protests, the protesters in Plateau remain resolute, with many expressing dissatisfaction with the current state of the nation and a desire for more concrete action by government.
The #EndBadGovernance protests have continued to gain momentum, despite President Tinubu’s national address earlier today, and showed no sign of slowing down as protesters.
Middle-belt News Networks recall that, the second day of the protest (Friday) at Jumm’a prayers, the Christians protected their Muslim brothers at the prayer ground close to the Old Airport Round-about, in Jos. After the prayers, Comrade Suleiman Khalid addressed journalists.
He observed that, “Jos is one of the most peaceful protests we have ever had in Nigeria, and 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.”