Thousands storm govt house, demand sack of Agric Commissioner

By Umar Akilu Majeri Dutse

Thousands of protesters from Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State stormed the Government House in Dutse, demanding the immediate removal of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Muttaka Namadi.

The protesters, who included farmers, youths, community leaders, and women, were received by the Chief of Staff, Alh Mustapha Makama Kiyawa.

The protesters alleged that the commissioner had failed to represent their interests in the state government and had not brought any meaningful projects to their community. They chanted slogans, including “Bamayi, acireshi” meaning “we don’t like him, we want his removal, he is less important.”

Mallam Murtala Muhammad, a former chairman of Ringim Local Government and one of the protesters, said, “The present Commissioner for Agric does not brought any meaningful projects to Ringim Community and he is not representing them well in the Government. It’s time for him to resign or continue to face series of vote of no confidence from us.”

The leader of the protest, Alh Tasiu Ringim, also alleged neglect and incompetence on the part of the commissioner. The Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state, Alhaji Aminu Sani Gumel, received their complaint and promised that the party would take all necessary action to address their grievances.

The protesters demanded to speak with the top government official to express their minds, and they were eventually received by the Chief of Staff. They presented their grievances, which included the commissioner’s alleged failure to represent their interests and his inability to bring meaningful projects to their community.

The protest was peaceful, but the protesters were adamant that they would continue to demand the commissioner’s removal until their grievances were addressed. The state government has yet to respond to the protesters’ demands.