From Joseph Asegba, Yola
The Adamawa State House of Assembly has distanced itself from the planned nationwide protest and adopted 7-point resolutions for a way forward.
It says, that part of the resolutions adopted by the Honourable members include calling on the government to engage young people in community development projects and provide them with opportunities for education, empowerment and employment.
In other to make an impact, they also urged the government to implement programmes that will address the specific needs and concerns of the youth; encourage open and honest conversations between the parties as well and use neutral mediators if necessary to facilitate discussions.
Adamawa legislators called on the government to hold town hall meetings where community members galvanise all grievances and suggest solutions to engage traditional rulers and stakeholders who are respected in their communities to mediate conflicts.
The state government are advised to employ legal arbitration methods to resolve disputes, especially in business and legal conflicts and called on the youth in Adamawa state to remain calm, and law-abiding and distance themselves from the planned protest.
Hon. Emmanuel Kefas representing Song Constituency earlier sponsored a resolution that a matter of urgent importance be taken.
As the Chairman House Standing Committee on Security, briefed his colleagues on the planned protest, and suggested 7-point resolutions for consideration and adoption, they observed with concern how protests sometimes turn violent, leading to monumental destruction of property, attacks, clashes and killings among the protesters, security agencies and civilians.
He noted that protest destabilises communities and leads to long-term social strife, adding that such protests can also challenge the legitimacy of the government, leading to political instability, and prayed for his colleagues to kick against it.
While presiding, the Speaker of the state assembly, Rt. Hon. Bathiya Wesley said protest is constitutional but at times can be hijacked by hoodlums and become violent, leading to wanton destruction of lives and property, one may know the beginning of the protest but cannot tell how it will end, saying that it is good that citizens should be mindful of themselves.
The peacemaker Bathiya therefore appealed to the Honourable Members to make positive contributions to the motion so that together, they could make it happen.
Contributing to the motion, the member representing the Numan constituency, Hon. Pwamwakeno Mackondo, commended Hon. Emmanuel Kefas, for sponsoring the motion at this material time.
A former Deputy Speaker of the assembly, applauded Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, for coming out openly to kick against the protest particularly in Adamawa state, saying” We in Adamawa state are not supporting the protest.
According to him, all the members and their constituents enjoy the relative peace in the state, saying that they had witnessed protests in the state which resulted in destruction, and looting of public property and advised the FG to engage in dialogue with the agitators.
Others who made their contributions forward the caution, were members from the Lamurde constituency, Myandassa Bauna,
the member representing the Mubi South constituency, Hon. Sahabo Yohanna Jauro,
Hon. Yohanna Jauro said that they are not going to join the protest as a state and however, suggested that the members should take it upon themselves to engage with their respective communities more especially the youth to enlighten them about the dangers of the protest.
While the former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Sunday Peter (Guyuk Constituency) commended Hon. Emmanuel Kefas, for raising the matter of urgent public importance.
Hon. Babangida Mohammed Njidda (Nasarawo Binyeri) and Hon. Ismaila Umar Bobbo, of Fufore Gurin Constituency all congratulated Kefaa and urged the government at all levels to create employment opportunities for the youth as well as communities to engage those that are not educated.