By Gbenga Akingbule
A cross-section of stakeholders in Borno state, on Wednesday, unanimously expressed strong dissatisfaction over the planned mass hunger protests across the country slated for August.
Gatekeepers News reports that the stakeholders collectively urged all aggressive persons to rather explore the option of dialogue to address their grievances.
This was made known during an emergency Peace Building stakeholders meeting held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Government House, Maiduguri, the state capital.
The stakeholders meeting which was convened by the Borno state Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum to seek ways for further engagements with the citizens to avoid situations where hoodlums may hijack the planned protests to cause havoc, reeled out many of the food support programmes embarked upon by the state government since assumption of office in 2019.
The stakeholders were drawn from Civil Society Organisations, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Youth and Women organisations, Religious Leaders, the Nigeria Bar Association, Heads of Security Agencies, and Members of the National Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW) amongst others took turns to call for caution and endorse the need to have constructive dialogue.
According to the Governor, the situation in the state is peculiar following over 14 years of insurgency pointing out that the citizens must be circumspect and avoid protests that may lead to the breakdown of Law and order.
“While the right to protest is fundamental in a democracy, we must understand the high likelihood of such actions being manipulated by anarchists and enemies of peace. Such protest will bring a lot of setbacks that we have painstakingly achieved”
The Governor added: “Let us engage in positive dialogue. The federal government and states are doing everything possible to ensure they reduce the hardship experienced in the country. Many stakeholders have committed themselves to avoid any protests or riots, and the Borno State government will follow up to ensure that they fulfil their promises.”
