The former governor of Taraba State and leader of the Yorro nation, Rev. Jolly Nyame (DABANG YORRO), on Sunday called on the Yorro people of Taraba and Adamawa States not to join the nationwide planned protest against the federal government.
Nyame spoke on behalf of the Yorro nation at a press conference in Jalingo, stating that the planned protest was not a healthy idea for Nigeria.
The DABANG YORRO expressed that, although Nigerians were going through tough challenges, they need to consider constitutional methods of unseating a democratically elected government.
“There is no doubt that our beloved country is going through one of the toughest challenges in history. There are glaring shortages of all the basic things we need for survival, including food, education for our children, and affordable health facilities. I am aware that many families stay for days without food and other necessities. This unfortunate situation has exposed us to all types of lamentations against the privileged class and all levels of governance in our country. As a community leader, I feel for all of you.
“As the saying goes, ‘A hungry man is an angry man.’ This bad situation is bound to tempt us into taking drastic and regrettable actions. As Ecclesiastes says, ‘There is a time for everything under the sun,’ including prosperity and suffering. Many of us in this gathering have gone through good times and bad times in the past, but by the grace of God, we are still moving on.
“We are all aware of the plan by some Nigerians to vent their anger on the government by agreeing to a national protest or shutdown. I must admit that in view of certain policies and longstanding national issues, the government should take the blame for some of the problems affecting our nation. However, we as Nigerians must examine our actions in the face of this unfortunate situation to see whether or not we have contributed positively or otherwise in our various walks of life to this situation.
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“For this reason, I must warn you against joining the nationwide protest being planned against the government under the guise of advocating for good governance. Whereas every Nigerian has the right to complain or protest against bad governance, the language employed by the planners is threatening, divisive, and clearly aims at removing a democratically elected government.
“This action can only worsen the situation and endanger the lives of thousands of people. There is already a constitutional means of removing a bad government through the ballot box, not through brigandage and terrorism.
“As you all know, Yorro is a peaceful and hardworking nation, with the people engaged in various noble means of livelihood like farming. Indeed, we are among the largest producers of yams and other food items in Nigeria. We are not an idling society where people engage in all types of vices for survival. We have no time to waste in a national protest that can only promote destruction, anarchy, and loss of lives. As a peaceful and law-abiding community, the Yorro nation should not join the nationwide protest against the government for our own good and the safety of the communities.
“Let’s also seize the opportunity to call for the re-planning and re-organization of our political interests in both Taraba and Adamawa States. As one of the largest communities in the two states, no government should be set up in either state without our visible participation and representation. There is now a need in the near future to set up a political committee that will engage with both states to ensure that proper harmony and unity is achieved in the respective quests for political office,” Nyame appealed.
