Hardship: Tarabans advise youths to stay away from planned protest
OKERAFOR ATHANATIUS JALINGO.
Leaders of thought and critical stakeholders from Taraba State, Northeast Nigeria have unanimously objected to the planned national protest scheduled to commence on August 1, 2024 saying it is of no value and a threat to national unity.
Former Taraba State Governor Rev. Jolly Nyame, during a Press Conference in Jalingo the State capital told Journalists that Yorro communities of both Adamawa and Taraba States are not joining the protest.
Nyame also known as, “Dabang Yorro, leader of the Yorro Nation”, spoke on the position of the people of Yorro domiciled in the two States and on what he described as the controversial national protest against bad governance.
Rev Jolly Nyame
Admitting that Nigeria is going through one of the toughest challenges in history, Rev. Nyame averred that there is glaring shortages of all the basic things the society needs for survival which according to him include food, education for the children, affordable health facilities, among others.
He said the unfortunate situation had exposed the citizens to all sorts of lamentations against the privileged class and all levels of governance in Nigeria.
Showing sympathy for his people as a community leader, Rev. Nyame emphasized that the bad situations is bound to tempt the society into taking drastic and regrettable action.
He further reiterated that every Nigerian has the right to complain or protest against bad governance but lamented that the language employed by the planners is threatening, divisive and clearly aims at removing a democratically elected Government.
“I must warn you against joining the so-called national citizens protest being planned against the government under the guise of advocating for good governance”,
“This action can only worsen the situation and endanger the lives of thousands of people”,
According to him, there is already a constitutional means of removing a bad Government through the ballot box and not the brigandage and terrorism.
“We have no time to waste in a national protest that can only promote destruction, anarchy and loss of lives”,
“Simply said, as a peaceful law abiding community, the Yorro nation should not join the so-called Nationwide protest against the Government, for our own good and for the safety of the communities”, he added.
Former deputy Governor of the State, Alh. Sani Abubakar Danladi, during a program organized for the youths of the State at C2C event Centre in Jalingo said it’s true that Nigerians are passing through difficult times but according to him, protest at this difficult times can worsen the situation.
Sani Abubakar who was former acting Governor of the State, former Senator of Taraba North at the National Assembly also called on the people of the State to be patient with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu describing him as a leader who has listening ears and that he is working hard to fix the country.
Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danladi
Abubakar maintained that some of the people that initiated the protest are faceless advising the youth to stay away from the planned protest.
He commended Governor Agbu Kefas for his all inclusive administration with a view to carrying everyone along.
“The governor, for even given a platform for this Programme, I want to appreciate him. I want us to pray for him for the good work he is doing in our dear State, let him not deviate”,
“Because of the platform he has given us, no segregation of political parties, all of us are here and all the youths that you know in Taraba State are here”, said Senator Sani.
Senator Abubakar however, assured the gathering that their plights and requests would get to the ears of President Tinubu.
The Galadima Muri HRH, Alh. Tukur Abba Tukur called on the people of the State to support Dr. Kefas to succeed in his administration saying he is doing his best for the people of the State.
The traditional Ruler also thanked the convener of the program, Alh. Sani Abubakar Danladi saying he has the love for the people of the State.
“Jalingo people are living in peace and we want peace”, the traditional ruler said.
Dr. Jinadu Garvey Yawe, APC Youth Vanguard, in the State, Emmanuel George former State Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), National Union of Taraba Students (NUTAS), Students’ Union Government (SUG), State University, Jalingo Football Association, Women group, among others.
All spoke throwing their weight behind the program tagged, “No to protest, yes to progress” to the scheduled and planned nationwide protest.
They disclosed that they don’t have reasons for joining the protest looking at the local government autonomy given to them by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“No common man should join the protest because President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done everything for the common man and the common man is happy”,
“We are not going to protest because Governor Kefas has helped our children to go to school because of the declaration of free Education and our children at various tertiary Institutions have had their tuition fees slashed to about 50%, we in Taraba State have no reason to protest”,
“We believe in the renewed agenda of President Tinubu and the moving forward mantra of Governor Kefas”, they stressed.
