The Coalition of Northern Group CNG, has said that the recent call by Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State for citizens to defend themselves will only worsen the insecurity situation in the state.
The CNG Northwest Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi disclosed this on Sunday while addressing journalists at its secretariat adjacent Barahim Estate in Katsina State Capital.
He said, “without doubt acquiring weapons by citizens in the name of self-defence will increase bandit cells, lead to greater instability and deepen insecurity.”
Jamilu further said that the campaign is a sign that the governor is failing in its responsibility of governance to the citizens.
He advised that the Governor should “perish the thought of self defence or admit to the great people of Katsina that he is no longer in control and cannot foster solutions to their societal problems by seeking for genuine help or kindly resign. The state and the good people of the state needs and deserve better governance.”
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Jamilu also wondered “why the governor will expect an already vulnerable civilian population subjected to unemployment, poverty and bad governance will be given opportunity to possess arm in the bid to end banditry?”
He suggested instead that the government rather than invest in gigantic project for now should “focus more on fighting unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, politically, and with all sincerity of purpose which are the tripod upon which banditry has been nurtured to its current monstrous stage.”
He also appealed to the state government to learn to accommodate protest which he says “play an important part in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural life of societies and historically, has inspired positive social change, improved protection of human rights, and also has continue to help define and protect civic space in all parts of the world.”
To back his claim, he cited sections 38, 39, 40 and 41 of Nigeria Constitution as protecting people’s right to protest.
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