By: Danjuma Attah, Gombe
A coalition of ninety-eight (98) registered civil society organisations in Gombe State under the aegis of Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (ANGO) said they will not risk supporting the the proposed nationwide protest that could destroy the enviable development achieved in the State since creation in 1996.
Secretary of ANGO, Bachama Yusuf, who read the position of the association, signed by him as well as the Chairman, Idris Maigari Lawanti and Deputy Chairman, Comrade Gloria Usman, said they vehemently oppose any action that could lead to a break down of law and order and its attendant consequences of the loss of life and property.
Bachama said, “we the CSO’s, citizens and residents of the State are proud that our dear Gombe State has been experiencing consistent, sustained and incremental growth and development since our creation in 1996, we are committed to this forward thinking agenda in totality”.
According to him, “drawing lessons from similar scenarios with the wave of the national protest including the Arab springs in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Kenya, (on the global scene), and the Nigeria civil war, the endSARS protest in 2020, years of insecurity, break down of law and order and its attendant consequences of loss of lives and property.
“We believe that this is not acceptable in our dear State and must be avoided at all cost and by all as a civic responsibility”, he stressed.
He cautioned that, while they subscribe to the fact that peaceful protest is a constitutional and a fundamental rights of the citizens, “we affirm that sustaining peace and security of our dear State is a corresponding responsibility of all”.
They acknowledged plans to stage protests and anti protests in Gombe and some selected LGA’s as well as solidarity support from outside the State, noting that, “we draw the attention of the general public that it has been stipulated for such plans to ensure that they carry the security agencies along by proper notification and briefing with the Police.
The association then called on the Federal to urgently release and deliver all palliatives to States to cushion the hardship of the people and for the State Government to ensure that the Federal Government’s efforts yields immediate and long term results.
It also called on the State and Federal Government’s to prioritize work and completion of Kolmani oil exploration as it has the potential of addressing employment and other challenges.
Above all, the association said all citizens of the State should prioritise development and peace of the State.
