By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi
The Northern Agenda for Good Governance & Allied Groups have in Bauchi called-off the protest in the state for what it described as for the greater interest of peace and stability of the state and the country at large.
The groups which claimed to be one of the leading civil society organizations that along with other groups of like interest that engaged relevant stakeholders towards holding the peaceful protest, said it fears that some hoodlums may hijack the protest into something it may not like.
“We decided to call it off in the greater interest of peace and stability of Bauchi State and Nigeria as a whole as we realized that it is better we send the message through the press than to allow some unknown and perhaps irresponsible elements hijack the whole thing with the good intentions into something we all will not like”.
The Deputy National Coordinator of the Groups, Mallam Comrade Hashim Bala Pali at a press conference in Bauchi Thursday, appreciated the support from members and other fellow citizens across all divides for the initially planned civil protest
He recalled that they are one of the leading civil society organizations that along with other groups of like interest engaged relevant stakeholders and security agencies towards holding the nationwide peaceful protest over the hard living condition of Nigerians
Pali explained that the issues they feel very strongly about included oil exploration in the Kolmani area bordering Bauchi and Gombe states, commissioned two years ago by former President Muhammadu Buhari at which occasion President Bola Tinubu was present.
The groups expressed worrisome that the exploration site has been abandoned and work has stopped on this very important project of significant socio-economic and developmental interest to not only the North East but the entire country.
“The issue is even more worrisome considering the fact during his campaign visit to the North East, President Tinubu promised to continue with work in this regard but that is not happening”
The groups coordinator therefore demanded clear explanation for what is happening at Kolmani river 11 well, and resumption of work at the exploration site without further delay.
Comrade Pali explained that they observed, like most Nigerians, that the root cause of the hunger, starvation and other difficulties faced by the people is the removal of subsidy in PMS as announced by the President in his inaugural address.
Pali recalled that since the subsidy removal, life become meaningless to majority of Nigerians, and called for return of subsidy regime with immediate effect, stressing that the survival of the people is better than policy cosmetics and window dressing that is not achieving any result.
According to him, it was insensitive of the Federal government to introduce high increase in electricity tariff at a time most Nigerians are struggling to have a square meal a day, saying the tariff increase is without human face and not in the best interest of the country.
The groups national coordinator argued that the electricity tariff increase has to be reversed as other alternatives of providing electricity at affordable prices should be explored rather than the sheer increase
“It is also our position that the students loan fund introduced to cushion the effect of hike in fees paid by students in tertiary institutions of learning across the country will not address the problems of access to quality education to the average Nigerian in both short and the long run”.
They suggested that economic policies that improve the purchasing capacity of the average citizens, add value to our currency and others alike be preferred to make it possible for most citizens to afford tertiary education without much ado.
Groups also called for a review of forex and other macro and micro economic policies of the government, saying most of the economic policies of Tinubu administration do not seem to be working as, according to them, th
[01/08, 22:38] MUHAMMED KAWU: Groups also called for a review of forex and other macro and micro economic policies of the government, saying most of the economic policies of Tinubu administration do not seem to be working as, according to them, their direct consequence is increase in the suffering of the citizens.
Northern Agenda for Good Governance & Allied Groups further demanded that rising rate of inflation be checked while Nigerian land borders be reopened for flow of goods and services.
“We similarly observe that most of our leaders are taking the people for granted.This is why it is only during national emergencies like this time that some leaders remember to engage citizens on what government is doing about these problems.It shouldn’t be so”.
Groups noted with concern that none of the country’s ministers or other political appointees returned home to discuss the issues and the way forward with the people, as only few representatives in the National Assembly are at their constituencies at this crucial time.
The groups argued that as voice of the electorates, they will no longer tolerate such kind of situation, pointing out that leaders at all level must maintain a regular touch with the people for trust, accountability and development sake.
The press conference however assured citizens that the struggle has not ended, but rather it has just started, for the country and its people must be free and enjoy available dividends of democracy that will make life meaningful.
“We enjoin fellow citizens to return home, resume their normal legitimate activities and continue to work with us in lawful ways until the issues addressed in this conference are properly sorted”
Pali explained that the protest is in exercise of citizens’ fundamental right to peaceful assembly guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, aimed at drawing the attention of the government towards addressing the serious challenges that has made life unbearable to the common man.
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