We accept FG’s offer for dialogue to avert protest escalation- 19 Northern States Groups

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Political and socio groups from the 19 Northern States have warned youths across the region not to join in the protest saying “we have accepted the federal government’s offer to dialogue so as to avert any form of escalation”.

Speaking at a Joint Press briefing Yahaya Mohammed Usman, Coordinator, Movement of Political Freedom (Siyasan Yanci Nijeriya) said “we are doing this to avert the usual circus of; protests, destruction of properties, deaths, then Panel of Inquiry and the last which is normally Dialogue which has not yielded results.”

According to him “we have closely monitored and reviewed the planned protest, the issues raised therein and we are very much concerned for our nation, region and the citizens.

While some of the demands for a protests are very much genuine, we have become very concerned that some of the rhetorics from all sides do not point to a peaceful and civil protest.”

He added that, with the repeated Federal Government’s call for dialogue especially through traditional Rulers and through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris who has shown maturity and mutual respect to all sides the groups have decided not to participate in the protest.

Accordingly, he said “we the above named groups do accept the Government’s offer of dialogue, we therefore call all our members in the 19 Northern state of Nigeria and across the Nation to stand down our intended participation in the Protest.”

Yahaya further called on the Federal Government to immediately role out terms of reference for the dialogue. “Dialogue is the biggest and safest means of addressing all the demands in the protest.

“We are therefore forwarding a letter of acceptance to dialogue to dialogue with Federal Government to the President through the Minister of Information and National Orientation.”

Also, National Coordinator, Youth Lead Nigeria, Mohammed Etsu while warning against likely escalation, said “we can not add fuel to the already burning furnace but to rather settle for dialogue to ensure we have robust discussion for the betterment of the masses”.

Other groups present are: Yan-Almajiri Endowment Initiative, Youth Lead Nigeria, Agaie Emirate Consultative Forum and Niger Progressive Forum,

In a similar vein, National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS) has strongly opposed the strike and warned its members across the state not to join in the protest in their own interest.

National President of the Association, Comrade Gambo Idris Shehu warned students during a press conference in Minna on Wednesday that “if you join the protest anything that happens to you we are not going to be there for you”.

Comrade Gambo Shehu directed Niger state students not to come out at all within the period of the nationwide protest.

Shehu directed students who are currently in session to remain within their academic environments and focus on their studies.