Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, on Wednesday, appealed to the residents of the state and Nigerians in general not to participate in the planned nationwide protests slated for next month.
Zulum made this appeal during a stakeholders’ townhall meeting at Government House, Maiduguri.
The Governor maintained that they should rather engage in constructive dialogue, warning that the protests may cause violence and distractions.
He noted that the state had been severely dealt with by 13-year-old insurgency and conflicts, noting that the protests won’t be the best approach to sustain relative peace being enjoyed in the state.
Zulum said, “Any breakdown of law and order will be a disaster to us, I am appealing to the people not only Borno State but all Nigerians to shun any protests that will bring hardship to Nigerians. Let us engage in positive dialogues, Federal and state governments are doing everything possible to ensure the current hardships people are going through in Nigeria is being reduced.
“The Government of Borno State and the people have been experiencing insurgency for the past 13 years but now peace has gradually returned to Borno State and there is need for us to maintain peace.
“I am happy to note that many of the stakeholders have made commitments that they would not join the protests. I can assure you that the Government of Borno State will follow up on view to ensure that what they said is implemented to the latter.”
The town hall meeting was attended by heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, Network of Civil Society Organizations, Young Peace Advocates, Nigerian Union of Journalists, Nigerian Bar Association.
Others in attendance include Civilian Joint Task Force, Christian Association of Nigeria, Jammatul Nasir Islam, Students, Youth groups, Women’s groups, Traders, People living with disabilities, Nigeria Labour Congress, among others.
