Kogi Guber: Youths raise panel to douse ethnic tension.
IDRIS AHMED, Lokoja.
A group, ‘Kogi People’s Parliament’ has been formed by some Youths in the state, who are desirous of a free, fair and peaceful election .”
The group said it is worried by the dangerous dimension the on going campaigns have taken, capable of igniting chaos and confusion across the state.
Chairman of the forum, Comrade Samuel Musa, while briefing Journalists on Thursday in Lokoja, said serious minded youths will not sit idle and watch some privileged few turn the state into theatre of war in the name of politics
Comrade Musa expressed disappointment with the manner politicians across the parties have decided to play ethnic agenda as their campaign issues.
According to the group leader, tension is now high everywhere in the state, be it West, East or Central Senatorial districts, creating fears and mutual suspicion and distrust among the people who have been co existing peacefully.
He regretted that the Youths who are supposed to be the vanguard of positive change have become tools for negative activities and political thugs, usually sponsored by the desperate power mongers that are bent on causing havoc if they lose the contest.
“It is for these unfortunate involvement of the Youths that some of us with like minds across the state met to embark on this peaceful mission to unite the people and to disuade militancy from politics.
” We have mapped out our plans that lead us achieve our objectives. We are meeting with prominent stakeholders across the state, youth leaders, women groups and the politicians.
” They should see the danger inherent in ethnic and sectional agenda they are using to campaign as such acts will end up in dis uniting the people of the state. If they win the election what happens to people of other groups either than theirs”, Comrade Musa stated.
He also disclosed that soon the Peoples Parliament will call a meeting of stakeholders for peaceful conduct of the November 11 governorship election.
” Kogi is for all political parties, and their leaders as well as Candidates are all bonafide indigenes of the state and as such everybody should be free to belong and give support to any of their choice unconditionally”, he insisted.
Musa however clarified that the group has not endorsed any political party or Candidate, they are more concerned about the peaceful conduct of the Governorship election coming up in November.
The Kogi Peoples Parliament has coordinators in the 3 Senatorial districts of the state. From the East, Alfa Musa, West has Godwin Akaiko, while Peter Isah coordinates Central Senatorial district.
