The Adamawa State House of Assembly, on Tuesday kicked against the planned nationwide protest and adopted 7 point resolutions as a way forward.
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.
The assembly, 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 as use neutral mediators if necessary to facilitate discussions.
The members also called on the government to hold town hall meetings where community members can voice their grievances and suggests solutions as well as engage traditional rulers and stakeholders who are respected in their communities to mediate conflicts.
Equally, it advised government 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, law abiding and distance themselves from the planned protest.
The hallowed chamber’s resolutions followed a matter of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Song constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Kefas.
Earlier, Hon. Emmanuel Kefas who is the Chairman House Standing Committee on Security, briefed his colleagues on the planned protest, and suggested 7 point resolutions for consideration and adoption.
The lawmaker 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.
According to him, protest destabilises communities and lead to long-term social strife, adding that such protests can also challenge the legitimacy of the government, leading to political instability, and prayed his colleagues to kick against it.
Speaking while presiding the resumed plenary, the Speaker of the 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.
Rt. Hon. Bathiya, said that 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.
He appealed to the Honourable Members to make positive contributions on the motion so that together, they can make it happen.
Speaking on the motion, the member representing Numan constituency, Rt. Hon. Pwamwakeno Mackondo, commended Hon. Emmanuel Kefas, for sponsoring the motion at this material time.
The 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, looting of public property and advised the FG to engage in dialogue with the agitators.
Baring his mind, Hon. Myandassa Bauna (Lamurde constituency ) observed that protest is constitutional but the outcome may not be constitutional, saying that even if the youth will stage protest, it should be constitutional.
“We are not supporting the protest because we have so many means of solving our problems. As long as we are human beings. We will have problems and in this case, the only way to solve it is to engage in dialogue to proffer lasting solution.
“The reason why we are elected is to save the lives and property of our constituents. So we are against anything that will create hardship to our constituents. We are calling on our youth to remain calm and law abiding. Let us devise another means of solving the problem”, said Hon. Bauna.
Lending his voice, the member representing Mubi South constituency, Hon. Sahabo Yohanna Jauro, said that all the lawmakers are against the planned protest, saying that it is a good thing that they are representing the entire LGAs in the State.
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 with a view to enlightening them about the dangers of the protest.
According to him, the fear is that the planned protest may likely be hijacked by some bad eggs and turn violent, saying that they stand against it in totality.
Baring his mind, former Deputy Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Sunday Peter (Guyuk Constituency) commended Hon. Emmanuel Kefas, for raising the matter of urgent public importance, saying that protest can have advantage and disadvantage when carried out.
According to him, protest is a constitutional right of citizens but may resort to violence and destruction of public property and even lost of lives, saying that violent protest can undermine the legitimacy of a movement and distract its message.
He said that at times people that are agitating for the protest may have clear message but because of lack control and organisation, may escalate to something else which one cannot be controlled.
On his part, Hon. Babangida Mohammed Njidda (Nasarawo Binyeri) congratulated Hon. Emmanuel Kefas, for moving the motion, and aligned himself with other members.
On his part, Hon. Ismaila Umar Bobbo, of Fufore Gurin Constituency urged government at all levels to create employment opportunities for the youth as well as communities to engage those that are not educated to reduce unemployment rate.
