Rep. Alhassan Doguwa (APC, Kano) says finding lasting solutions to Nigeria’s economic problems is a collective responsibility and urges protesters of hunger and hardship to embrace dialogue.

Doguwa, representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency, stated this while addressing officials of Kano Youth Forum, who visited him in Kano.

He condemned the unfortunate looting and vandalisation of public and private properties that characterised the 10-day nationwide protests which began on Aug.

Stressing the need for democratic approach to solving the problems, the lawmaker, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), advised youths to shelve protest and adopt dialogue.

This, according to him, will ensure a peaceful resolution to the burning issues.

Doguwa, a former Majority Leader in the 9th Assembly and current leader of the Northern Regional Caucus in the 10th Assembly, noted that the current economic crisis was not peculiar to Nigeria.

According to him, the United States of America, seen to be the most democratic nation on earth, also has its fair share of economic and social problems.

“I admit that there are issues. I agree with the Nigerian people that we have some itching problems, economic, social and other problems.

“However, I want to say that the problems bedeviling our society are not for the Federal Government alone to address.

“The governors are involved; our local government councils are involved; and some other agencies of government which are also fully funded to undertake their constitutional responsibilities are also involved,” he said.

He called on aggrieved Nigerians to also hold their respective governors accountable in the utilisation of public funds to provide basic amenities and address insecurity.

Doguwa added: “This is why the governors are called chief security officers of their respective states and they must be held accountable in protecting the lives and properties of their people,” he added.

“So, for me, it is a collective responsibility, and as such, not right to continue to blame the federal government.

“While I am not holding brief for the government, I agree that our people are really facing a lot of problems and the government must be held responsible for that.

“People must understand that the problems we are facing today and the way to go about finding solutions to them does not lie on the shoulders of the federal government alone.

“We all have to contribute, whether as individuals, organisations, or associations, to solving our problems for the good of all.”

The lawmaker argued that President Bola Tinubu operates an open-door policy and urged the youths to take advantage of it through constructive dialogue towards finding lasting solutions to the country’s problems.

He added that Tinubu and other national leaders, including state governors, were ready to listen to advice and suggestions on ways forward.

“This is the democratic approach that I am talking about, as against taking sticks and other dangerous weapons to the street, destroying public offices, vandalising and looting shops in the name of protest.

“This will not mean well you guys. It will also not mean well for the society and the government will not condone such acts,” he said.

Earlier, the leader of the group, Mr Muktar Raula explained that the visit was to convey their solidarity and support for the Tinubu-led administration.

Raula commended Tinubu for signing the Northwest Development Commission Bill into law and his commitment to many other development projects in the north. (NAN)