Youth groups in Niger State dissasociate self from planned nation wide protest against Tinubu
No fewer than 23 youth groups in Niger State have distanced themselves from the planned nationwide protest against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tauheed Haruna, Leader of the Concerned Nigerlite Forum, disclosed this during a press conference on state of the nation and nationwide protest in Minna on Thursday.
He, however called on president Bola Tinubu to as a matter of urgency address the nation with clear achievable plan of his administration at the critical moment.
Haruna said the forum’s and the groups decision not to participate in the protest was taken after an emergency meeting of the state executive committee, zonal leadership and the 25 local government coordinators.
He added that the decision was also reached because of because of the success of engagements with stakeholders in a town hall meeting recently organised by the Niger government.
“During the town hall meeting, our forum and groups were also in attendance alongside traditional and religious leaders, students and women groups.
“The town hall meeting gave participants the opportunity to interact with government on pressing national issues such as high cost of living and what the government is doing to alleviate hardship,”he said.
He said the 50,000 metric tons of grains for sales at 50 per cent discount, released of additional 20 metric tons of fertiliser as well as N20,000 wage award for civil servants approved by Gov. Umaru Bago, show government commitment.
Haruna also attributed the forum and groups decision not to participate in the planned protest was due to the resolution of stakeholders recently taken at a town hall meeting.
He said the forum and the groups noted with great concern lack of proper coordination of the planned nationwide protest, adding they would not participate in such uncoordinated protest.
He said the forum and the groups were aware of the current hardship and insecurity that has bedeviled some parts of the state, adding that uncoordinated protest had led to destruction of public property and death of innocent people in the past.
He, however, called on government at all level to prioritise welfare and well-being of the people and make deliberate sacrifices to ensure the prosperity of the citizens.
