The Federal Government has been called upon to as a matter of urgency, collaborate with the 36 states governors on how to address the issue of out-of-school children across the country.
The FG was also urged to implement economic policies that will benefit the masses by abolishing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) economic policy which has led to the present situation in the country.
The call was made by a Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) Bauchi State during a press conference addresses on Tuesday by Com Bello Aminu, Coordinator and Comrade Hasnim Pali, Secretary at the Tafawa Balewa Tomb.
The group added that, “Additionally, we urge the government to take immediate action to alleviate the hardship and hunger affecting our nation.”
On the ongoing nationwide protest against bad governance tagged #EndBadGovernmentinNigeria, the coalition stated that, “It is with heavy heart and as a matter of responsibility that Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) Bauchi State call on President Bola Tinubu to address the demands of the protesters who have taken to the streets in recent days.
“These protesters which are in exercise of their fundamental right to peaceful assembly guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are aimed at drawing the attention of the government towards addressing the serious challenges that has made life unbearable to the common man. However, we urge all protesters to embrace peace and dialogue as the means to achieve their goals.
“We call on the President to rethink and mend his stand concerning his speech delivered on Sunday which has failed to address the key demand of the protesters.
“The demands include: Exploration of crude oil activities at the Kolmani Oil Field that has become dormant 18 months after a presidential inauguration of exploration activities on the site and end kidnapping, banditry and Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria.
“Other demands are to end subsidy scam and reverse fuel price to below N300 per litter, bring tertiary education fees back to their previous rates, restore electricity tariff to affordable levels for the public, return import duties to their previous rates, reform EFCC, Stabilize the Forex and bring the country’s inflation down.
“Filling the trust deficit and engaging in constant inter face with the protesters for peaceful dialogue and cessation of protest activities. We understand and acknowledge the right of the people, especially the youth, to express their grievances and seek better futures. However, we urge all protesters to embrace peace and dialogue as the means to achieve their goals.”
Furthermore, the coalition stated that “it is deeply concerned that some protesters in some parts of the country were seen marching on the streets, waving Russian flags, such actions are not only inappropriate but also a threat to our democracy, it is also a reasonable offense, and it will be viewed and treated as such, and we call on those involved to cease these activities immediately.
“The protests has shift from initially peaceful protests to widespread criminal activity, noted that the situation has deteriorated, with looting and chaos taking over the protests.
“Initially, when the protests started, it was described as peaceful, but it was hijacked and willing to exploit it to cause mayhem, unfortunately taken a violent turn, with hoodlums and underage children’s movement and causing chaos.
“This is not the way to bring about positive change. We call on all protesters to end the protests and return home peacefully. Rest assured, your voices have been heard.
“In Azare, headquarters of Katagum local government, the protest has largely been marred by violence, looting and destruction of public and private properties. We have to respect Nigerian democracy and believe that peaceful demonstrations in conformity with the Nigerian law are a manifestation of democracy.
“However, these events that led to disruptions of local government secretariat and other government and private properties, we strictly condemn them in strong term and urge the government to ensure that the perpetrators are being punish to serve as deterrent to others.
“The implication of their action is that the scarce resources that suppose to be channel to our hospital, schools and other needs will now be channel to repair the damages cause as the result of the violent protest.
“Fellow citizens to return home, resume their normal legitimate activities and continue to work with us in lawful ways until the issues addressed in this conference are properly sorted. Let me repeat that there will be light at the end of the tunnel.”
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