The Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, has stressed that dialogue was better than violent public protest.
He called on the state’s youths to embrace peaceful engagement.
Remember, there is a growing movement in Nigeria for citizens to stage public protests against the high cost of living and allegations of poor governance.
The protest is billed to commence from Thursday, 1st August, to 10th August 2024, even as federal and state governments have seriously warned against it, fearing it would be hijacked by hoodlums.
Ayambem made an earnest appeal to Cross River State youths to refrain from participating in the planned national protest.
Ayambem made this known during the plenary session on Tuesday, noting that Governor Bassey Otu’s commitment to the people was non-negotiable.
He encouraged young people to support the governor’s administration.
The 10th Cross River State House of Assembly, according to Ayambem, is committed to addressing the concerns of all citizens and passing legislation that benefits everyone.
He emphasised that “our state has tremendous potential, and it is up to us, the youth, to harness this potential and drive positive change.”. “By working together and fostering a spirit of unity, we can create an environment where opportunities abound and every citizen can thrive.”
“Protests that turn violent will not benefit us; they will only exacerbate our problems,” Ayambem stated. He emphasised the long-term negative consequences of previous protests and urged youths to engage in constructive dialogue with the government instead. “The effects of previous protests are still negatively impacting us today.” It would be unwise to worsen the situation with further unrest when we are still recovering from past events,” Ayambem said.
The Speaker also reminded the youths that Cross River State’s strength lies in its unity and resilience, urging them to stand together, support the leadership, and work hard to overcome challenges peacefully.
