Northern Democrats 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.”