By Stephen Ojo
In Niger State 5 Civil Society Organisations have announced their backing out of the plan nationwide protest against economic hardship in preference of dialogue with government on how best to solve prevailing hardship in the country.
They expressed fears that the protest if held cold degenerate into potential violence.
The group stated this on Wednesday in a joint press conference in Minna.
Addressing the press, Comrade Yahaya Mohammed Usman who is the chairman of the Movement of Political Freedom (SIYASAN YANCI), listed other CSOs at the briefing to include the Yan -Almajiri Endowment Initiative, Youth Lead Nigeria, Agaie Emirate Consultative Forum and Niger Progressive Forum.
He explained that the CSOs have decided to accept the Federal government offer for dialogue after reviewing the proactive measures put in place to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.
“We have closely monitored and reviewed the planned protest and the issues raised therein, the protest which is scheduled to commence tomorrow 1st August- 10th August 2024 would last total of 10 days and we are very much concerned for our nation, region and the citizens”.
He said that 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 does not point to a peaceful and civil protest considering security advise from experts and several agencies.
“In view of the above and repeated Government calls for dialogue especially through traditional Rulers and through the Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, we in the above named groups do accept the Government’s offer of Dialogue”.
He therefore call all our members in the 19 Northern state of Nigeria and across the Nation to stand down participation in the Protest.
He said, “by this therefore, we call on the Federal Government to immediately role out terms of reference for the dialogue which we hope will commence immediately. We have noticed some significant steps taken to address some of the basics issues”.