The National Association of N-Power Beneficiaries (NANB) comprising Batches A, B and C has declared a nationwide protest over the non-payment of their nine-month stipends by the Nigerian government.
The association said that the protest would take place at the National Assembly and the 36 state assemblies across the country.
In a notification addressed to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, dated December 1, 2023, and signed by its National Secretary, Bashir Ladan, NANB said that the protest would take place on December 13 in all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The aggrieved N-Power beneficiaries vowed to sustain the peaceful protest until their voices were heard and their nine-month stipends paid by the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government.
The letter, obtained by SaharaReporters on Sunday and titled “Notification for Nationwide Peaceful Demonstration” read, “We are calling on all beneficiaries of N-power Beneficiaries Nationwide to hold a peaceful demonstration about the non-payment of our stipend for 9 months by the Federal Government and the recent suspension of the program by you the Honorable Minister Dr. Betta Edu.
“We will hold a peaceful demonstration in the 36 state capitals including Abuja. We will continue the demonstration until they settle our 9-month stipends.
“On the 13th December, 2023 by 10:00am; we hope our beneficiaries will abide by the rules and regulations of demonstration protest.
“Please, don’t touch any properties of the government or people. All demonstration will be held at the State house of Assembly of 36 states of Nigeria while Abuja at the National Assembly House Gate.”
When contacted on Sunday, the National Vice Chairman of the association, Idris Sani, confirmed the scheduled nationwide protest to SaharaReporters.
Recall that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, recently announced the suspension of the programme over some alleged irregularities and corruption.