By Inusa Ndahi, Maiduguri
Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Groups (CCSGs) comprised of National Youth and Good Governance Organization, Women Wing Initiative, Borno Youth Parliament among others in Borno State have vowed not to partake in the proposed nationwide protests.
This is even as the groups recognize that the onus lies heavily on the government to address the root causes of the current discontent associated with hunger and insecurity in the land.
Addressing Journalists at the NUJ Press Centre in Maiduguri on Monday, spokesman of the groups, Abdul -Hadi Yunusa said: “Our coalition, which embodies the spirit of unity, progress, and patriotism, has taken a firm stance regarding the forthcoming nationwide protest. We are here to articulate our position, the reasons behind our decision not to participate, and to call upon all citizens to embrace dialogue with the government as a means to resolve our national challenges.
“We are acutely aware of the severe economic and social hardships that have driven the calls for a nationwide protest. The high inflation rate, escalating costs of foodstuffs, exorbitant prices of petroleum products, rising electricity tariffs, and pervasive insecurity are realities that have made life increasingly difficult for many Nigerians. These issues are legitimate and deserve urgent and comprehensive attention from the government.
‘However, after extensive consultations and careful consideration, we have resolved not to partake in the planned protest. Our decision is based on the potential risks and consequences that such mass actions may pose to the stability and unity of our country. While protests are a fundamental democratic right, they can, if not carefully managed, lead to violence, destruction, and further deepen our national crisis.
“In light of these concerns, we call on all Nigerians, particularly our youth and civil society organizations, to embrace dialogue with the government. Dialogue, negotiation, and constructive engagement are the hallmarks of a mature democracy and offer a more sustainable path to resolving our grievances.
“While we urge citizens to embrace dialogue, we also recognize that the onus lies heavily on the government to address the root causes of the current discontent. To this end, we strongly recommend the following measures: Immediate Economic Stabilization Policies targeted fiscal policies to curb inflation and stabilize the economy and introduce price controls on petroleum products and explore alternative energy sources to mitigate the impact of high fuel costs on the populace.
Secondly, government should review and reduce electricity tariffs to make power more affordable for all Nigerians, and invest in renewable energy projects to diversify our energy sources and ensure a more stable and cost-effective electricity supply.
“Additionally, government should also invest in modern agricultural practices to boost food production and reduce dependency on food imports, as it is essential for the government to act decisively and transparently so as to build trust and foster a sense of shared responsibility between the government and the governed.
