Borno Stakeholders Decry  Planned  Mass Hunger Protest

By Gbenga Akingbule

Stakeholders in Borno state have  on Wednesday unanimously expressed strong dissatisfaction over the the planned mass hunger protests across the country slated for August.

 The stakeholders collectively urged all aggressived persons to rather explore  the option of dialogue to address their grievances. 

This was made known during  an emerncy Peace Building stakeholders meeting held at the Multipurpose  Hall of the Government House, Maiduguri , the state capital.

The stakeholders meeting which was  convened  by the Borno  state Governor,  Prof . Babagana Zulum to seek ways for further engagements with the citizens to avoid situation where hoodlums may hijack the planned protests to cause havoc,  reeled out many of the food support programmes embarked upon by the state government since assumption of office in 2019.

The stakeholders who were drawn from the Civil Society Organisations,  Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ) , Youth and Women organisations,  Religious Leaders,  Nigeria Bar Association,  Heads of Security Agencies, Members of the National Union Road Transport Workers ( NURTW) amongst others  took turns to call for caution and endorse the need to have constructive dialogue.

 According to the Governor,  the situation in the state is peculiar following the over 14 years of insurgency pointing out that the citizens must be circumspect and avoid protests that may lead to break down of Law and order.

” While the right to protest is fundamental in a democracy, we must understand the high likelihood of such actions being manipulated by anarchist and enemies of peace. Such protest will bring a lot of setback that we have painstakingly achieved .” 

The Governor added that  ” Let us engage in positive dialogue. The federal government and states are doing everything possible to ensure they reduce the hardship experienced in the country. Many stakeholders have committed themselves to avoid any protests or riots, and the Borno State government will follow up to ensure that they fulfil their promises.”