A caucus in the House of Representatives has appealed to youths to reconsider their plan to embark on a 10-day protest from August 1.
The 170-member group known as “New Dawn Caucus – 10th Assembly, acknowledged the youth’s right to peaceful protest but advised them to embrace dialogue with the government.
The group also passed a vote of confidence in Speaker Tajudeen Abass. “for his sound leadership and proven ability to unite members of the House for the greater good.”
Also yesterday, Minister of Youth Development Minister Jamila Bio–Ibrahim said what the country needed most now was peace and stability and not demonstration.
In a communique at the end of their 1st Session Dinner in Abuja yesterday, the caucus members reaffirmed the commitment of the House of Representatives ‘’to addressing the pressing issues facing the nation and its citizens.’’
They also pledged to ‘’continue working collaboratively with all stakeholders to foster a prosperous, secure, and equitable Nigeria.’’
The communiqué which was signed by Marcus Onobun, Leko Jafaru Gambo, Jeremiah Umaru, Martins Esin, and Ojema Ojotu, showed that the lawmakers also deliberated on the new national minimum wage and security.
On the “Planned Hardship Protest, they said: ‘’While acknowledging the right to peaceful protest, Caucus appeals to Nigerians, particularly the youth, to reconsider the planned hardship protest and instead engage in dialogue with the Federal Government to address the economic challenges faced by the populace.’’
The 170 lawmakers also commended both the National Assembly ‘’for the expeditious passage of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act and are pleased with the reduction in the review period for the minimum wage from five to three years.