The Nasarawa State Government has appealed to its citizens to avoid participating in a planned nationwide protest against the federal government, citing concerns about the potential for violence and disruption of peace.
According to The PUNCH, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Ibrahim Angbolo, noted that the state government believes in democratic governance and supports President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to provide good governance and grow the nation’s economy.
Angbolo warned that the protest could be hijacked by criminal elements, leading to looting and violence, and could also take on an ethno-religious dimension, causing conflict between Christians and Muslims.
“It has become imperative as a matter of concern to call on our vibrant youths to carefully assess the situation before taking the risk of joining a politically motivated protest.
“Such protest is capable of bringing back the hands of the clock and truncating the highly cherished democracy and the laudable achievements that have been recorded over the years.
”With intelligence reports suggesting that some criminal elements are planning to hijack the protest not only to disrupt government and commercial activities but break into stores and shops to loot goods.
“It becomes incumbent on us to sue for caution and decline any overtures to partake in the ill-intentioned protest.
”Equally worthy of note is the stark reality that protests in parts of the region often take on the ethno-religious dimension, leading to violence between Christians and Muslims.”
Angbolo, therefore, called on the citizens to support the administration of President Tinubu, who among other things distributed food items across the country, enhanced security, and improved infrastructural and human capital development.
He called on religious, traditional and community leaders and meaningful individuals and bodies to prevail on their youths who are targets for the protest to refrain from participating.
Angbolo said the state government under Gov. Abdullahi Sule had initiated programmes as well as creating opportunities in agriculture, and industrialisation that have positive impacts on the lives of people, especially the youths.
“Aside from the sustained efforts by the Federal Government towards alleviating the suffering of the people, Nasarawa state remains one of the few states that sustained support through various forms of palliatives to the citizens,” he said.
Angbolo, who said Northern Nigeria was already grappling with security challenges, said any attempt to stage a protest would further aggravate the situation.
He called on the organisers to rethink and shelve their plans.
According to him, Nasarawa state government is committed and determined to see that peace and tranquillity are maintained in the state.
The commissioner noted that measures have been taken along with security operatives to resist any attempt to disrupt the relative peace being experienced in the state.
