By Callistus Agwaza in Jalingo
Uba Maigari, Minister of State for Steel Development has called on residents of Taraba state not to participate in the nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance slated for Thursday.
Addressing stakeholders on Wednesday in Jalingo, Maigari, a former deputy governor of the state, urged residents to
disregard the inciting calls by some persons for violent protests and regime change in the name of hunger protests.
He said such moves will only lead to more hardships on the people.
The minister said government is aware of the hardship that Nigerians were going through and is working assiduously to make things easier for the people.
He noted that the people of Taraba state have demonstrated that they are in tune with the government and have come out with one voice across ethnic, religious, party and other sectional lines to align with the government to say no to violent protest in the state and to give peace a chance.
Maigari said, “the President is in touch with what concerns Nigerians and he is not insensitive to their plight.
“He aligns with those agitating for protest. He also has the constitutional right to protect citizens who may not be involved in the protest.
“The message is clear, we are aware that the people are aggrieved and want to protest. As a government, we are not against protest.
“The President has spent decades in the pursuit of democracy and he would not want anything to temper with the smooth flow of the system.
“I appeal to the people of Taraba to be patient. I am not happy with the situation as a person but there are actions on ground and in the pipeline. “Don’t allow yourselves to be used by anarchists and proponents of chaos.
“There are long term and short term measures taken by the federal government to ensure stability and a conducive environment for growth and prosperity.
“The people of Taraba are on the side of the government and are determined to give peace a chance…”
