League Of Northern Democrats (LND) Berates Wike’s Threat To Sack Beggars From Abuja Streets

League Of Northern Democrats (LND) berates Wike’s threat to sack beggars from Abuja streets.

From Umar Dankano,Yola.

The League of Northern Democrats, LND has tackled the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. Minister, Hon.Nyesom Wike over his threat to sack beggars from Abuja streets ordering them to vacate in a week’s time.

In a press statement titled “A call for responsible governance and humanitarian treatment” issued by the Convener of the group, Dr Umar Ardo Thursday, the league reminded the Minister that those in the streets of FCT are mostly displaced victims of insecurity from their various states.

It observed that, despite the good intention to ensure the capital city remains orderly, it is crucial that to understand and address the root causes of why these individuals are on the streets in the first place who were forced out of their communities due to insecurity and violence, and economic hardships as a result of poor government policies.

“Majority of these victims were severely affected by the ongoing crises in northern Nigeria. Specifically, we refer to displaced persons from Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Borno, and other areas of the North where banditry, insurgency. Among these displaced individuals are widows and orphans who have been left vulnerable due to the failure of local, state and federal authorities to provide adequate protection and welfare support.

“Life has thus become unbearable for most people in the villages and the streets of Abuja have naturally been made the refuge for many of these victims, a large proportion of whom are women, widowed by violence, and children, left orphaned and vulnerable.

“As an African nation, Nigeria is founded on the principle of being our brothers’ keepers, and it is in this spirit that we appeal to the Honourable Minister to reconsider any measures that may unjustly penalize these vulnerable members of our society that are after all victims of governments failures.

“Besides, the rights of these displaced women and children must be viewed through the lens of both constitutional protections and international human rights obligations. The Nigerian Constitution, particularly Chapter II, Section 14(2)(b), guarantees the protection of the welfare of citizens

“This obligation extends to all levels of government to ensure that vulnerable populations are not subjected to further hardship through reckless abandon such as threatened by the FCT Administration. Moreover, Nigeria is a signatory to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which in Article 23 ensures the right to protection from persecution and forced displacement”.The statement asserted.

The league maintained that, involuntary removal of displaced persons from the streets without a humane reintegration plan would constitute a violation of both domestic and international legal standards suggesting for to be treated humanely and given the opportunity to return to their home states, with their welfare properly addressed.

“We therefore urge the Honourable Minister of the FCT to work in collaboration with the respective Northern state governors and the federal government in resolving this unfortunate situation. Government must shoulder responsibilities of their citizens and must be seen to be doing so by taking immediate action to repatriate and rehabilitate these displaced individuals.

“The Federal Government immediately resolves the intractable insecurity and violence bedeviling the communities of Northern Nigeria. The National Security Adviser must stand up to his duties of getting our communities secured and the Federal Government must turn around the debilitating economic situation of the country and make life more meaningful for our citizens.

“The governors of affected states are to also urgently set up social welfare committees tasked with managing the reintegration of these displaced persons, and to provide adequate relief, housing and education for the children and support systems for widows who have lost their spouses to insecurity.

“We call upon the Honourable Minister to approach this issue with the sensitivity and urgency it demands and to initiate cooperation among all relevant authorities – federal, state and humanitarian institutions – to provide a lasting solution”.The league appealed.