The Co‑Executive Director of the Interfaith Mediation Centre in Kaduna State, Mohammed Ashafa, has warned that an imminent revolt could erupt against the All Progressives Congress‑led federal government of President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) over the naira redesign policy. He urged the government to act swiftly to prevent a crisis, noting that if mishandled, the 2020 End SAR protests—which claimed several lives nationwide—would seem “child’s play.”
Ashafa, a renowned Islamic scholar, disclosed these concerns in an exclusive interview with our correspondents on the sidelines of a one‑day interactive session titled “Women’s Economic Empowerment and Role of Leaders and Opponents.” The event was organized by the Interfaith Mediation Centre with support from the Development Research and Project Centre. The Interfaith Mediation Centre, a faith‑based NGO co‑founded by Ashafa in 1995, works to end violent clashes between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.
According to the cleric, the current naira redesign—though not the first in the country’s history—has already caused hardship for Nigerians. He appealed to the federal government to obey the Supreme Court’s ruling and halt the naira swap immediately, or at least extend the deadline by another six months. Ashafa warned that any action likely to spark violence as the 2023 general election approaches could cause the 2020 End SAR protests to “resonate” again.
“I fear a second phase of the End SAR protest driven by the financial crunch the government has deliberately inflicted,” he said. “I fear that what happened in France in 1776 during the revolution could happen in Nigeria. People are attempting suicide because they have money but cannot access it.” He called on the government to adopt a voice of reason to avoid the turmoil seen in Tunisia and Egypt, stressing that the policy appears to be a deliberate attempt to create confusion.
While emphasizing the need for issue‑based politics ahead of the 2023 elections, Ashafa cautioned the political elite against “do‑or‑die” politics, arguing that politics should improve and enhance citizens’ lives. He condemned politicians who use force to gain power, noting that they exploit vulnerable youths.
Ashafa also urged women to participate actively in politics and economic life, stating that their voices are often silent yet powerful. “We have seen many women worldwide transform their communities. Let women come out and engage politically and economically to change our nation for the better,” he concluded.
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