The minority caucus of the House of Representatives has advised the Federal Government to engage in dialogue with those planning protests to address their grievances effectively.
This recommendation came following a special meeting and dinner held by the caucus in Abuja on Monday night.
According to The PUNCH, the caucus, led by Chairman Kingsley Chinda, emphasized the need for the government to consider the issues raised by the protesters and to seek amicable resolutions.
Chinda urged the protesters to reconsider their plans due to the current security challenges facing the nation.
“We appeal to the government to engage with the protesters and consider the critical areas they are highlighting. The government should intervene to ensure these issues are resolved peacefully,” Chinda said.
He expressed concerns over the potential for peaceful protests to be hijacked by troublemakers, given the country’s precarious security situation.
Chinda also advocated for a non-military approach to addressing the nation’s security problems. “We call on the government to use both carrot and stick methods to achieve visible results. Security chiefs must act to ensure the safety of Nigerians,” he added.
The caucus further called on the government to create opportunities for citizens to achieve self-reliance, addressing the economic hardships faced by many.
“There is widespread hunger, and we urge the government not just to provide palliatives but to establish means for people to become self-sufficient,” Chinda noted.
The dinner also served as an occasion to express gratitude to caucus members for their support throughout the year.
“The main purpose of our gathering was to host an end-of-year dinner and to thank our members for their unwavering support,” Chinda concluded.
