From Godwin Agia, in Jalingo
The former Taraba State Governor and elder statesman, Rev. Jolly Nyame has appealed to all his supporters to shun the planned nationwide protest because the outcome could cause more damage than good to the nation.
Nyame made the call on Sunday at a Press conference in Jalingo while addressing the Yorro community from Taraba and Adamawa.
The elder statesman said that rather than take to the streets and create anarchy and chaos, Nigerians should learn from the experience in Kenya and other parts of the world where similar protests have led to a total breakdown of law and order, inflicting more hardship on the people.
“There is no doubt that our beloved country is going through one of the toughest challenges in history. There is glaring shortage of all the basic things we need for survival, including food, education for our children and affordable health facilities. I am aware that many families stay for days without food and other necessities. This unfortunate situation has exposed us to all types of lamentations against the privileged class and all levels of governance in our Country. As a Community leader, I feel for all of you.
“Incidentally, this is the reason for this briefing. As the saying goes “A Hungry man is an Angry man”. This bad situation is bound to tempt us to take drastic and regrettable action. As the Ecclesiastes say, “There is time for everything under the sun”, including prosperity and sufferings. Many of us in this gathering have gone through good times and bad times in the past, but by the grace of God, we are still moving on.
“We are all aware of the plan by some Nigerians to vent their anger on the government by agreeing to a National Protest or shutdown. I must admit that in view of certain policies and long standing national issues, the Government should take the blame for some of the problems affecting our Nation. However, we as Nigerians must examine our actions in the face of this unfortunate situation, to see whether or not we have contributed positively or otherwise in our various walks of life, to this situation.
“For this reason, I must warn you against joining the so-called national citizens protest being planned against the government under the guise of advocating for good governance. Where as every Nigerian has the right to complain or protest against bad governance, the language employed by the planners is threatening, divisive and clearly aims at removing a democratically elected Government. This action can only worsen the situat.on and endanger the lives of thousands of people. There is already a Constitutional means of removing a bad Government through the ballot box and not brigandage and terrorism.
“As you all know, YORRO is a peaceful and hard working Nation, with the people engaged in various noble means of livelihood, like farming. Indeed, we are among the largest producers of yams and other food items in Nigeria. We are not an idling society in which people engage in all types of vices for survival. We have no time to waste in a National protest that can only promote destruction, anarchy and loss if lives. Simply said, as a peaceful and law abiding community, the Yorro Nation should not join the so-called Nationwide protest against the Government, for our own good and the safety of the communities,” Nyame said.
