Worried by the non-representation of Plateau State in the Federal Executive Council, the Coalition of Indigenous Youth Nationalities of Plateau State has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint a minister from the state for the sake of equity and fairness.
Addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Jos, Plateau State, the Chairman of the Coalition, Comrade Paul Joshua Dekete, said since the former Governor of the State, Simon Bako Lalong, resigned as Labour Minister to take up his seat as a Senator representing Plateau South early this year, no one has been appointed as his replacement.
“We, the youths, are seriously disturbed that Plateau State can be sidelined without a minister. We are therefore appealing to the President to appoint a minister from Plateau State to give us a sense of belonging as enshrined in the constitution.”
Comrade Dekete, who acknowledged the fact that there is hardship in the country, stated that the youth coalition in the state will not participate in the planned protest slated for Thursday, August 1, adding that despite the hardship, there is a possibility of the protest being hijacked by hoodlums.
According to him, there is a need to shelf the protest as both federal, state, and local government levels continue to implement people-oriented policies, including direct interventions in the oil and gas industry, food production and distribution, transportation and communication, power, and energy sectors, as well as youth empowerment and human capital development.
He called on the government to review and regulate fuel prices rather than reinstate the regime of fuel subsidy and called for outright disengagement of saboteurs working in the oil and gas industry and sacking of Cabinet members that are linked to aggravation of insecurity in the country if a discreet investigation proves them culpable.
“The abjectly poor and vulnerable, including IDPs, orphans, and widows, deserve some succour from government and non-governmental organisations.
“Such programmes need to be expanded in scope, given the magnitude of the current situation. That our youths should not only intensify their efforts on vigilance but also synergy with security agents against any form of aggression that might be meted out to hamlets, villages, and communities.
“We equally affirm the beliefs in constitutional government, where citizens enjoy rights and privileges, especially those of free conscience, expressions, association, and indeed, a right to protest. However, the prevailing circumstances and insecurity in the state are risky, such that an inch could be taken for a mile by detractors and saboteurs who have defamed Plateau State for so long.”
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