The National President of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF), Haruna Shettima, has offered a critical assessment of the Northern region’s involvement in the hunger protests across Nigeria, pointing to severe marginalization as the driving force behind the North’s participation.
His remarks on Monday, bring into sharp focus the profound sense of deprivation and dissatisfaction felt by many in the North, which he attributes to neglect and poor governance by those in power.
Shettima contrasted the North’s dire situation with the perceived detachment of the South-East from the unrest, suggesting that the South-East does not feel the same level of urgency or distress.
He stated, “They feel they don’t have a problem, but we in the North have a problem. The North is experiencing hunger.”
This statement underscores the deep-seated grievances within the Northern region, where the economic realities are increasingly bleak.
Shettima emphasized that the North’s involvement in the protests is not merely reactionary but is rooted in a long-standing sense of neglect and marginalization by the government.
He highlighted the disparity between the struggles of ordinary citizens and the apparent self-interest of those in governmental positions.
“We, the stakeholders, know what we go through because we have something to do. Out of what we work for, we bring it to assist our people. But those who have appointments in government are only interested in their interests,” Shettima elaborated.
His words reflect a broader critique of the government’s efficacy and accountability, suggesting a disconnect between the needs of the Northern populace and the priorities of those in power.
Shettima’s comments underscore the acute sense of marginalization felt in the North, where the struggle for basic necessities like food has become a daily reality.
This stands in stark contrast to the South-East, where the decision to refrain from participating in the protests suggests a belief that their issues are not as pressing.
Through his critique, Shettima calls attention to the urgent need for government policies that address the real and pressing needs of the Northern region, rather than catering to the interests of a select few in positions of power.
