Lawmaker urges protesters to sheath swords, embrace dialogue

Rep. Abdullahi Aliyu-Ahmed (APC-Musawa/Matazu federal constituency), Katsina State, has appealed to youth to withdraw from the #EndBadGovernance protests and embrace dialogue for peaceful coexistence.

By Zubairu Idris

Rep. Abdullahi Aliyu-Ahmed (APC-Musawa/Matazu federal constituency), Katsina State, has appealed to youth to withdraw from the #EndBadGovernance protests and embrace dialogue for peaceful coexistence.

Sardauna Francis, Special Assistant on Media to the lawmaker disclosed this in a statement made available Newsmen in Katsina on Monday.

He said the legislator, who is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Interior, said the call became imperative in view of the fact that some people hijacked the protests in my many places, looting and vandalising public and private property.

Aliyu-Ahmed added that already, the demonstrators’ voices had been heard by the authorities, hence the need for them to halt the protests and wait for government action.

While assuring that government has put in place various measures to address some of the nation’s challenges, the lawmaker solicited the support of all Nigerians to move the nation forward.

“I am disturbed that the protests had been highjacked by hoodlums and unscrupulous elements, whose aim is to loot and destroy critical national assets in many states,” he lamented.

The lawmaker observed that the protests would only aggravate nefarious activities of miscreants, thereby further compound the country’s problems.

“Protests in Nigeria usually open doors for looters and hoodlums, who take advantage of the day to perfect their evil intentions and objectives.

“There is need for the organisers to put the interest of Nigeria above their personal gains and suspend the protests immediately.

“Let me use this medium to call on all our brothers and sisters to kindly withdraw from the protests and embrace the path dialogue, it’s a more civilised alternative to press home your demands for the collective well-being of all Nigerians,” he advised.

The lawmaker, who noted that the right to peaceful protest was enshrined in section 40 of the constitution, however, said, looting, killing, and destruction of public and private property were detrimental to national growth and development. (NAN)