By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The former Governor of Taraba State and leader of the Yorro Nation, Rev. Jolly Nyame, on Sunday called on his ethnic of Taraba and Adamawa States not to join the nationwide planned protest against the Federal Government.
Nyame spoke on behalf of the Yorro Nation at a press conference in Jalingo that the planned protest was not a healthy idea for Nigeria.
The DABANG YORRO expressed that though, Nigerians were going through tough challenges but need to consider constitutional method of unseating a democratically elected government.
“There is no doubt that our beloved country is going through one of the toughest challenges in history. There is glaring shortages of all the basic things we need for survival, including food, education for our children and affordable health facilities. I am aware that many families stay for days without food and other necessities. This unfortunate situation has exposed us to all types of lamentations against the privileged class and all levels of governance in our Country. As a Community leader, I feel for all of you.
“As the saying goes ‘A Hungry man is an Angry man’. This bad situation is bound to tempt us into taking drastic and regrettable action. As the Ecclesiastes say, “There is time for everything under the sun”, including prosperity and sufferings. Many of us in this gathering have gone through good times and bad times in the past, but by the grace of God, we are still moving on.
“We are all aware of the plan by some Nigerians to vent their anger on the government by agreeing to a National Protest or shutdown. I must admit that in view of certain policies and long standing national issues, the Government should take the blame for some of the problems affecting our Nation. However, we as Nigerians must examine our actions in the face of this unfortunate situation to see whether or not we have contributed positively or otherwise in our various walks of life, to this situation.
“For this reason, I must warn you against joining the Nationwide protest being planned against the Government under the guise of advocating for good Governance. Where as every Nigerian has the right to complain or protest against bad governance, the language employed by the planners is threatening, divisive and clearly aims at removing a democratically elected Government.
“This action can only worsen the situat on and endanger the lives of thousands of people. There is already a Constitutional means of removing a bad Government through the ballot box and not brigandage and terrorism.
“As you all know, YORRO is a peaceful and hard working Nation, with the people engaged in various noble means of livelihood like farming. Indeed, we are among the largest producers of yams and other food items in Nigeria. We are not an idling society in which people engage in all types of vices for survival. We have no time to waste in a National protest that can only promote destruction, anarchy and loss if lives. As a peaceful and law abiding community, the Yorro Nation should not join the Nationwide protest against the Government for our own good and the safety of the communities.
“Let’s also seize the opportunity to call for the re-planning and re- organization of our political interest in both Taraba and Adamawa States. As one of the largest communities in the two states, no Government should be set up in both states without our visible participation and representation. There is now a need in the near future to set up a political committee that will engage with both States to ensure that proper harmony and unity is achieved in the respective quest for political office,” Nyame appealed.
