A PRESS CONFERENCE STATEMENT OF THE COALITION OF INDIGENOUS YOUTHS NATIONALITIES OF PLATEAU STATE “ON PLANNED NATIONWIDE PROTEST”
1. PREAMBLE
After a careful review and consideration of the state of the nation, particularly the prevailing economic realities in terms of galloping inflation, unemployment, insecurity, crime and poverty, as well as, the current clamor for a Nationwide Protest, the Coalition of Indigenous Youths Organization in Plateau State wishes to make its position clear.
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| PLATEAU INDIGENOUS YOUTHS COALITION |
2. OUR CONTEXT
Recall the travails of our individuals and collective circumstances in Plateau State, especially the massacres of innocent villagers, women and children that the people of Barkin-ladi, Bassa, Bokkos Mangu, Riyom, Jos-South and other Local Government Areas (LGAs) have suffered in the past and recently, are worrisome situations that no right thinking person would wish to continue therein. It’s the Coalition’s firm conclusion that or people have been subjected and, indeed, continue to suffer serious economic emasculation and violent physical oppression in the hands of terrorists, kidnappers and bandits. Expectedly, in several hamlets and villages, our people are displaced and generally more impoverished.
It’s no longer news that scores of the youths are increasingly despondent, disillusioned and depressed with numbers as unemployment and substance abusers, as well as, gullible indulgers in other social vices.
The picture this presents is a people already devastated and traumatized. It’s in this context that the untiring efforts and policies of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s Administration is being appreciated as a ray of hope that would rejuvenate peace and economic prosperity of the state.
Understandably, the Plateau people are jealous in preserving the relative peace currently enjoyed and generally reluctant in providing avoidable opportunity for unscrupulous elements to hijack a legitimate Nationwide Protest to plunge the state once more into a theater of confusion, bloodshed and looting.
3. THE NATIONWIDE PROTEST
Without any prejudice to the constitutionality of the Nationwide Agitation and Planned Protest, the Coalition is constraint by the peculiar circumstances and challenges of our individual and collective survival on the Plateau, particularly the precarious security balance to appeal to our National Compatriots to exempt the Youths, our members from participating in the 10-day National protest, not so much that we are insulated from the general malaise in Nigeria, but for the risky security circumstances we face as plateau communities.
Indeed, the excruciating economic hardship is rather amplified in our case with the state of deliberate persecution our people have continued to suffer for decades.
For us, joining the planned Nationwide Protest would unwittingly amount to opening the floodgates to our oppressors to inflict another round of havoc, bloodshed and exploitation on the peace loving people of Plateau State.
4. OUR RESOLVE
The Coalition is committed to promoting peace and tranquility in the land while supporting the giant steps and appreciable progress of Federal, State and Local Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the amiable Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, for demonstrating a high sense of responsibility, as well as, taking proactive measures to reduce the hardship of the masses and stabilize the economy.
In the light of the above, the Coalition wishes to state that ALL PLATEAU YOUTHS should stay away from the Nationwide Protest, which would not add good but precariously worsen our situation in the state.
5. PRAYERS
The Coalition hereby prays as follows:
1. That Government at both Federal, State and Local Government levels continue to implement people oriented policies including direct interventions in the Oil and Gas Industry, Transportation and Communication, Power and Energy Sectors, as well as, Youths Empowerment and Human Capital Development.
2. That Government should review and regulate Fuel price rather than reinstate the regime of Fuel Subsidy.
3. Outright disengagement of saboteurs working in Oil and Gas Industry.
4. Sacking of Cabinet members that are linked to aggravation of insecurity in the country if discreet investigation proves them culpable.
5. The abjectly poor and vulnerable including IDPs, orphans, and widows deserve some succor from Government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Such programs need to be expanded in scope, giving the magnitude of the current situation.
6. That our Youths should not only intensify efforts on vigilance, but also synergies with Security Agents against any form of aggression that might be meted out on hamlets, villages, and communities.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the Coalition wishes to affirm its beliefs in Constitutional Government, where citizens enjoy rights and privileges especially, those of free conscience, expressions, association and indeed, a right to protest.
However, the prevailing circumstances and insecurity in the state is risky such that and inch could be taken for a mile by detractors and saboteurs who have defamed Plateau State for so long.
Finally, we wish to passionately appeal to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to forget to appoint a Minister for Plateau State.
Signed:
Comrade Paul Joshua Dekete
STATE CHAIRMAN
Amb. Duwam Bosca
STATE SECRETARY
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