The Niger State governor, Umaru Bago, has threatened to arrest any person who protests against his administration’s decision to establish the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Teaching Hospital in Minna, the state capital.
Recall that the state government had awarded a contract for the conversion of the defunct Shiroro Hotel in Minna to IBBU teaching hospital, instead of Lapai where the university is situated.
The decision, however, didn’t sit well with some students and indigenes of Lapai town, who demanded the establishment of the teaching hospital in the same local government area.
But speaking during a condolence visit to the emir of Lapai, Umaru Tafida, over the death of his brother on Tuesday, the governor vowed to deal decisively with anyone who joins the protest.
The governor added that parents of any child caught protesting would also be arrested and chased out of Lapai town.
“I heard that some little pests are planning to protest against the establishment of IBBUTH in Minna. May God give them the courage to carry out the protest.
“But if they make their threats, they will know who Bago is. I will lock them up with their parents. There are no doubts about that. And after that, I will chase them out of Lapai permanently,” he said.
Reacting to the threat, a former national secretary of ANA, BM Dzukogi, lampooned the governor for his choice of words.
Commenting on his Facebook page, Mr Dzukogi noted that democracy encourages diversity and dissent.
He said: “You do not need to threaten anybody in matters of policy and execution; you have misfired at the palace. Your description of the young people as pests is highly unwanted and disrespectful of your citizens.
“Threatening their parents is even the most unwanted of the sessions. Each citizen should bear his own ‘sin’.
“More, they have a right to expression of grievances decently about what is displeasing to them. It is not all that you do that will please all.
“Democracy teaches diversity and dissent. Great leaders are sober, reflective, measured and convincing. In fact, they are never tired of convincing their people unless those who, persistently constitute security risks.”
