Angry Youths Protest Marginalisation in Niger State

Angry youths in Niger State have taken to the streets to protest what they regarded as lop-sidedness in political appointments by the State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello.

The youths, numbering at least 500, who were from Niger East Senatorial Zone, expressed their dismay at the perpetual marginalisation of the zone by the governor in his appointment of permanent secretaries and members of his kitchen cabinet.

The group, acting under the aegis of Gbegnu Boknu Yakwo Youth Association, stated that the zone had been treated poorly by the APC government in the state despite the fact that it voted en masse for the party at the last general elections in the state.

Furthermore, the group stated that the continued marginalisation of the zone negated the principles of equity and fairness, while declaring that it resorted to protests because attempts to table their grievances peacefully before the governor since June 3, 2015, were rebuffed by the administration.

“We are not happy with the appointments done so far by the governor, such as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), and the redistribution of Permanent Secretaries.

“We, the people of Niger East Senatorial Zone have not been treated well despite the large number of votes gotten from the zone during the 2015 general election.

“We call on the state government to as a matter of urgency consider the plight of Zone B to re-address all these anomalies before the local government election,” Comrade Danjuma Paiko, State Chairman of the group stressed.

Reacting to the protest on behalf of the state government, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ibraheem Dooba said that ability to do the job was the first consideration in appointments by the state governor, while appealing to the youths to concern themselves about seeking development to their zone instead of political appointments.

Furthermore he advocated for patience from the aggrieved youths, stating that the numerous appointments yet to be made were enough to go round.

“In terms of representation, everybody will be well represented‎ but some appointments are done to de-emphasise politics, especially that of the SSG. Only technocrats will be appointed,” Dooba said.