Ex Gov Nyame: Ballot, not Brigandage Only Way to Remove Democratically Elected Govt

Wole Ayodele in Jalingo

Former governor of Taraba State, Rev Jolly Nyame, has declared that the ballot box rather than brigandage and terrorism is the only constitutional means of removing a democratically elected government.

Addressing a press conference at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Jalingo yesterday against the backdrop of the planned nationwide protest to end bad governance, Nyame noted that the language of the planners of the protest is threatening, divisive and clearly aims at removing a democratically elected government.

Acknowledging the right of every Nigerian to complain or protest against bad governance, he however cautioned that the planned action can only worsen the present situation in the country and endanger the lives of thousands of people.

According to him, “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 and not brigandage and terrorism.”

Nyame, who is the 1st, 2nd and 3rd civilian governor of Taraba State stressed that Nigerians have every reason to be angry due to the glaring shortages of all basic needs for survival such as food, affordable medicare and education and therefore urged the government to brace up to address the challenges.

Enjoining Nigerian youths, particularly youths of Yorro nation, in Adamawa and Taraba States to shun the planned protest, Nyame noted: “As the saying goes, ‘A hungry man is an angry man’. This bad situation is bound to tempt us into taking drastic and regrettable action. As the Ecclesiastes said – “There is time for everything under the sun” – including prosperity and sufferings.

“For this reason, I must appeal to you against joining the national citizens’ protest being planned against the government under the guise of advocating for good governance as it would only promote destruction, anarchy and loss of lives.”

He urged the government to take responsibility and blame for some of the problems affecting the country just as he stated that “as Nigerians, we should examine our actions in the face of the prevailing unfortunate situation to see whether or not we have contributed positively or otherwise in our various walks of life to the situation.”

He however appealed to the federal government to prioritize subsidizing agriculture, education and health care delivery which according to him would impact positively and have direct effects on the lives of the people of Yorro nation whom he noted engage in various noble means of livelihood, particularly agriculture.