MINNA — YOUTHS in Suleja Emirate of Niger State have kicked against the planned reception in honour of prominent indigenes of the area serving in the current administration.
The youths under the aegis of Suleja Youth Movement said they are vehemently opposed to the reception not because of the personalities involved but because the money to be expended on the reception is going to be drawn from the four local governments in the emirate which they said is uncalled for.
Describing the initiative as a welcome idea, the youth however, condemned the deep financial involvement of the four local government councils from the area in the reception, pointing out that it is a waste especially at this period when the electorate are yearning for dividends of democracy which they are yet to reap beautifully.
The four local governments involved are Suleja, Tafa, Abukwaka and Gurara and each of them is supposed to contribute N5m, totaling N20m towards the reception slated for next month.
The youths who spoke through their leader, Muhammed Adamu said they were ready to support the reception if only money to be expended on it was sourced from outside the councils’ purse.
According to the spokesman, “it is a wasteful venture especially since we are not going to gain anything from the reception; let such money be spent on projects that will have direct bearing on the people.”
Those slated to be honoured are commissioners, special advisers, members of the National Assembly and elected members of the state House of Assembly, PDP officials and other political holders from the area.
Reacting to the development, secretary to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Mr. Tanko Beji said the reception is not in any way organised for political office holders from the area but mainly for the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Bawa Bwari, saying, “it is Bawa Bwari’s project which has no input from any council in the area.”
Barrister Tanko who said he is a member of the organising committee said, “it is unimaginable to expect any local government to cough out N5m for any reception; where would they get the money; it is unthinkable that any council would be levied money for such reception.
He called on the youth to “play cool”, adding that the organising committee has not even met to fix a date or levy anybody for the reception.
