Hunger protest : Political groups embrace dialogue in Niger
From : Our Correspondent.
Political and civil society groups from the 19 Northern States have warned youths of the geo-political zone not to participate in the forthcoming planned hunger protest to prevent break down of law and order in the region and the country at large.
They stated that rather than embarking on the protest, they have accepted the federal government’s offer to dialogue in order to avert any form of escalation.
At a Joint Press Conference in Minna, Niger state Yahaya Mohammed Usman, Coordinator, Movement of Political Freedom (Siyasan Yanci Nijeriya) said they have closely monitored and reviewed the planned protest, the issues raised therein and are very much concerned for the nation, region and the citizens.
He explained that though, some of the demands for the protests are very much genuine, they are very concerned that some of the rhetorics from all sides do not point to a peaceful and civil protest.
“The groups are doing this to avert the usual circus of; protests, destruction of properties, deaths, then Panel of Inquiry and the last which is normally Dialogue which has not yielded results”
” And also, following the repeated calls by the Federal Government for dialogue especially through traditional Rulers and through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris who has shown maturity and mutual respect to all sides, ” Usman noted.
He then urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency make public the terms of reference for the dialogue, maintaining,” “Dialogue is the biggest and safest means of addressing all the demands in the protest”
Also, National Coordinator, Youth Lead Nigeria, Mohammed Etsu in his contribution argued ,” with the current tension, we can not add fuel to the already burning furnace”
” Rather let us settle for dialogue to ensure we have robust discussion for the betterment of the masses”.
Other groups are: Yan-Almajiri Endowment Initiative, Youth le Leadad Nigeria, Agaie Emirate Consultative Forum and Niger Progressive Forum,
Furthermore, the , National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS) strongly warned its members not to join the protest in their own interest.
National President of the Association, Comrade Gambo Idris Shehu gave the warning during a press conference stating, “if you join the protest anything that happens to you we are not going to be there for you. You are on your own”.
He called on the members who are presently in session to remain within their academic environments and focus on their studies.
