By: Monday Munkaila, Gombe
Few hours to the start of the planned nationwide protest against bad governance and hunger, a coalition of Fifteen Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Gombe State has announced withdrawal from the protest scheduled to begin on August 1, 2024.
In a communiqué issued to newsmen in Gombe on Wednesday, leader of the coalition, Dr. Habeeb Muhammad, explained that the decision followed a series of meetings and consultations with various stakeholders.
These stakeholders include religious leaders, traditional rulers, individuals, and security agencies, among others.
The communiqué highlighted several reasons for the withdrawal, chief among these were the lack of clarity and faceless leadership of the organisers at both the state and national levels, as well as fears that the protest could be hijacked.
Despite the withdrawal, the coalition called on the government to address several pressing issues including reversing the current price of petrol, reducing the electricity tariff, cutting down the cost of governance, and implementing measures to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
The fifteen organisations that agreed to withdraw from the national protest are: Gombe for Peace Forum, Women of Hope, Peace Justice for Youths of Nigeria (Gombe State Chapter), Life of Hope Foundation and Arewa Youths Movement (Gombe State).
Others are: Youths Assembly of Nigeria, Join Hand Cooperative, Hikima Foundation, Rashida Multipurpose Society, Sen. Leet, PDP Youths, Tabra Youths Forum, Jewel Youths Forum, North Youths Forum and Women Initiative for Good Governance.
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful advocacy and dialogue as the preferred means to address the grievances of the citizens.
