Youths Urged To Shun Protest, Embrace Dialogue

Nigeria’s ethnic nationality youth leaders worldwide have appealed to youths to reconsider their plan to embark on a 10-day protest on August 1, 2024, and embrace dialogue.

Speaking on behalf of the groups in Abuja yesterday, Comrade Terry Obieh, president general, Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders/President General, NENYLCW, declared its non-participation in the protest and condemned it in its entirety.

They called on Nigerians to abandon the proposed national protest, saying that others with different intentions may hijack the peaceful protest.

“We have observed closely over the past few weeks as a section of Nigerians planned what they called nationwide protests against bad governance. We took the time to analyze the intent of the protest and its organizers.

“We are aware of the country’s current hardships, but it is essential to remind Nigerians that these problems are surmountable.

“We need to chart a common path forward through constructive criticism and engagement through a robust, nationwide dialogue campaign, sensitisation, and movement, free from unwarranted interference and intimidation.

“We are informing Nigerian youths that we are not part of the protest because we were not involved in the planning. Regrettably, some identified individuals and politicians have decided to weaponize the pain and anguish of downtrodden Nigerians.

“We are fully aware that hoodlums are planning to hijack the process. As the apex youth organization in the country with over 407 ethnic nationalities organisations, we were not included, while politicians and other personalities abroad are planning to weaponise and use hapless Nigerians to achieve their inordinate selfish motives.”