Engage government constructively, Senator Kingibe charges Nigerian youths
Kennedy Mbele
Our attention has been drawn to a video clip circulating in the social media, alleging that the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Hajia Ireti Heebah Kingibe, is asking Nigerian youths to protest over the situation of things in the country.
The clip titled: ‘Stop complaining, rise and take back Nigeria’, with a rider ‘challenges Tinubu, Wike, others instead of always complaining’ is false, absurd and did not emanate from the esteemed Senator; therefore, it should be ignored.
As a patriotic lawmaker, Senator Kingibe whose voice resonates in the Red Chamber has never incited anybody or group, with the aim of destabilising the country.
What the senator said while addressing newsmen was that the country belongs to the Nigerian youths, with whom she has always identified, advising them not to threaten government with strike, rather engage constructively.
She said: “I have said it, Nigerian youths are complacent. They are quiet. All they do is grumble. We need to have constructive interactions. Do you understand? All I hear are complaints and insults. It is not helpful. Do you understand? You guys, the country belongs to the youths; you should own it. Instead of a proper programme or agenda, you will threaten a strike that of course, everybody knows that you are not going to go on with. How does that achieve anything? I agree, government should cut costs. Have you made them cut costs? Tell me, have you? Other than that, you should. You all complain about the Minister of FCT, right? Please, tell me what you people all do. The Minister is an emissary of the president. Is it a letter that you people have written to the president? Is it a complaint? Is it a platform? Tell me! None. All you do is insult him, insult the minister, insult me. How does that get you anything?”
Whoever interpreted the Senator’s statement as a call for youths to protest against government is only trying to stir problems where there is none. The Senator was loud and clear in her words: meaningful conversations with public officials is a tool that should be embraced by the Nigerian youth.
That said, while asking those misinforming Nigerians about the FCT Senator to desist, we also urge everyone, particularly Abuja residents, to ignore the deceptive video clip and its analysis because they are aimed at creating disaffection with a senator whose watchword has remained equity and justice.
