By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
Following the wave of protests that has been going on in the state, Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku yesterday banned all forms of demonstrations and protests in the state.
The Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Illiya Bekyu in Jalingo, announced the ban in a statement. The governor said any group or individuals that want to protest must seek government approval before embarking on such exercise.
“I want to state here that individuals or groups wanting to embark on any form of demonstration in the state without government approval are warned to desist forthwith or face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
He warned parents and guardians against allowing their children to take to the streets for protest on behalf of their teachers. “The state government is particularly warning parents and some individuals who want to use little children as shield during demonstrations in pressing for whatever demands to refrain from such acts or be prosecuted,” he noted.
He warned that any attempt by individuals or groups to undermine the credibility of the government would not be tolerated and anyone caught in such act would be treated as a saboteur.
This is coming barely four days after primary school teachers in the state embarked on protest on Wednesday to demand for the payment of their eight months salary arrears and were joined in the protest by their pupils.
In a reaction, the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Taraba Chapter, Mr Peter Gambo, said that the workers in the state would not adhere to the directive as it is a mere threat.
The chairman explained that workers had the right to protest, and said the only way to put an end to the protests is for the government to do the right thing rather than try to intimidate the workers.
“To avert any form of protest in the state, the government must endeavour to settle all salary arrears meant for public servants. This is the only way the organized labour can desist from embarking on peaceful demonstrations,” he said.
Are the laws of the state not the ones made by the legislature anymore? Is this silly governor a law onto himself? These little gods, sef!!! You owe salary arrears and you wanna muzzles the workers from speaking up about it? What a tyrannical nincompoop!! The last time I checked, there were still these freedoms to assemble, associate, and speak lawfully. Perhaps, this self-acclaimed demi god thinks he was elected [perhaps selected] to a dictatorship. Somebody needs to remind him that we are practicing some kinda government of the people, by the people, and for the people. It’s a democracy, stupid!!