Politics
Hunger Protests: Youths Present Demands To Plateau Gov
A coalition of youths in Plateau State has presented its charter of demands to the state governor, Caleb Mutfwang in Jos, on Saturday, for onward transmission to President Bola Tinubu.
Plateau residents, largely youths, marched on major streets of Jos, the state capital, as part of the nationwide protests.
The protests were later hijacked by some hoodlums, who began to loot and destroy public and private property.
The situation forced the state government to impose a 24-hour curfew on Jos-Bukuru metropolis.
Presenting the charter on behalf of the youths, their representative, Sam Ode, said that the demands required the input of both the state government and the federal government.
“For the state government, we demand an immediate cut in the cost of governance. We also demand an explanation of how the various palliatives and funding from the federal government are being expended.
“We also call on the state government to implement the minimum wage recently signed into law by the president and reduce the school fees of tertiary institutions.
“For the federal government, we call on the president to end corruption, reverse the pump price of fuel to N300, and also reverse the hike in the electricity tariff,” Mr Ode said.
He also urged the federal government to cut the cost of governance, reopen all national borders, and embark on judicial reforms.
“I want our leaders to know that these demands are the will of the people towards a pathway for sustainable development. We are not rebelling against the government,” he said.
Responding, Governor Mutfwang, who thanked the protesters for being peaceful throughout the protests, promised to transmit the demands to the president.
The governor promised to enable the active participation of youths in his government, adding that the government would be open to legitimate criticism.
He said that he would be transparent and accountable in distributing the palliatives from the federal government to the Plateau people.
“We are doing a lot to boost agriculture, healthcare services, tourism, education, public transportation, sports and ease of doing business to improve the local economy.
“In some areas, we will need the support of the private sector to end poverty and hunger and actualise the Plateau of our dreams.
“I will transmit your demands to the president by next week, but all I ask of you is to be patient and support us to succeed.
“We will continue to provide quality leadership to the people, and I thank you for conducting yourselves peacefully throughout the protests, ” Mr Mutfwang said.
This was announced in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Tersoo Kula, on Wednesday in Makurdi.
The House of Assembly had passed a resolution to suspend the SUBEB boss for six months, enabling it to investigate her activities at the board.
Others suspended include the Chairman, Otukpo Local Government Area, Mr Maxwell Ogiri, and the Executive Secretary of the lottery commission, Mr Michael Uper, for a month each.
Gov. Alia, however, reiterated his unwavering commitment to the rule of law, due process, and the principles of separation of powers.
The governor commended the House of Assembly for exercising its constitutional responsibilities and assured the people of the state of his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.
He urged all affected institutions to ensure seamless continuity of service delivery during the period of suspension of the officials.
The governor called on the people of the state to continue supporting the government’s efforts to build a state that works for all.
Mr Moghalu spoke on Wednesday while addressing journalists at the party secretariat in Udoka Estate, Awka, describing the incident as “an embarrassing scandal and the height of irresponsibility.”
“I was very saddened over what I saw in the video. It was indeed a scandalous embarrassment, not only to Anambra or the state government, but to every responsible citizen of this state,” he said.
He condemned the brutality meted out to the corps member, adding, “Whatever offences she may have committed, there are better civil ways to handle it. The right thing was to arrest her and hand her over to the police, rather than tear her dress and dehumanise her.”
Mr Moghalu insisted that Udo-Ga-Chi members must be properly trained and indoctrinated before being constituted as a security outfit.
“You can’t kill those you are meant to protect. You don’t take guns and hand them to irresponsible people to terrorise citizens,” he stressed.
Highlighting previous complaints against the outfit, he said, “We have heard cases of people they’ve killed, maimed, or extorted. This is a case too many. The Federal Government must urgently scrutinise and regulate this group, and make an official statement on the matter.”
Expressing concern about the whereabouts of the assaulted corps member, Mr Moghalu added, “Where is the victim? The government must produce her and allow her to speak publicly about her ordeal. She was serving her country and deserves protection from both state and federal authorities.”
He further alleged that Udo-Ga-Chi has been politicised to influence elections, particularly in favour of the incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
“It is now evident that the outfit was created as a political tool, and their actions during the last Saturday election made that very clear,” Mr Moghalu said.
The proposed review by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) would see the President, Vice President, governors, and other top officials receive substantial pay increases.
The ADC said the proposal is coming at a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with the effects of inflation, rising fuel costs, and an inadequate minimum wage, suggesting a pay rise for the Nigerian workers instead.
A statement by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, said, the constitutional mandate of the RMAFC is to review salaries of political office holders, but considering such at this time further underlines how far this government is disconnected from the reality of Nigerian people.
The statement said, “We are aware of the Commission’s constitutional mandate to periodically review relevant emoluments of political office holders in the country. However, proposing such a review at a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling with soaring food inflation, high cost of fuel, inadequate and largely unpaid minimum wage would indicate a total disregard for the people.”
The party questioned how the political office holders are able to support their lifestyle of luxury and opulence if indeed these “outdated” salaries means anything to them.
He said, “For perspective, our national minimum wage stands at N70,000 per month, a figure that has been largely eroded by the APC’s inflation, even where it has been paid. Yet, unlike public office holders, most Nigerians do not receive additional allowances or emoluments to cushion the effects of the rising costs of living.
“This is why this proposed plan to increase the salaries of public office holders is not only tone-deaf, it is an all-out affront to the Nigerian people. It signals that the government is clearly disconnected from the struggles of ordinary citizens.
“In light of these developments, the ADC demands that this absurd plan be suspended immediately. No such increase should be implemented while ordinary citizens are grappling with extreme financial hardship. Government should focus on improving the lives of the people rather than improving the salaries of the President and other political office holders who already live in obscene indulgence.
“Government has no moral right to demand sacrifice from ordinary citizens while they focus on making lives easier for themselves. Political office holders cannot be insulated from economic hardships, while the everyday Nigerian suffers.”