Leaders of over 60 youth organisations have declared that their members will not participate in the planned nationwide protest being planned by some persons and groups for October 1 against the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
DAILY POST learnt that the October 1 protest, tagged ‘Fearless in October Protest’, is being planned by organizers of the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
However, days to the planned protest, some associations are already distancing themselves from the demonstration.
President of Nigeria Youth Organization, NYO, Duke Alamboye, announced the groups’ decision to stay away from the planned protest when he led a delegation of representatives of the groups on a courtesy visit to the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, in Abuja on Thursday.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, Mr Igoniko Oduma.
The youth bodies, according to the statement, include the National Youth Congress, Arewa Youth Council, Yoruba Youth Council, Ohanaeze Youth Council, South-South Advocate, Niger Delta Coalition, the Nigeria Nexus, Youth Parliament of Nigeria, Green Africa Youth Initiative, Youth Foundation for Non-Violence in Nigeria, Niger Delta Youth Parliament, National Association of Nigerian Students, and Youth Empowerment for Peace and Security, among others.
Alamboye said that they would work together with a network of other youth groups to ensure that Nigerian youths were not misled into taking part in any ill-advised protest against the government.
He said they would carry out a series of activities in the days ahead, including a world press conference and a youth summit, to sensitize Nigerians on the need to shun any demonstration, which could be hijacked by hoodlums as happened on several occasions in the past.
Alamboye urged youths to embrace constructive dialogue and explore available channels of engagement with the government to express their views instead of disrupting the peace and stability of the nation.
“Concerning the state of the nation, we are not unaware of the agitation from certain quarters calling for a nationwide protest on October 1, 2024. It is a protest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.
“As youth leaders and lovers of peace and national advancement, the Nigeria Youth Organization would like to inform you of our plan and intention to hold a world press conference on the 23rd of September, 2024, geared towards sensitizing the average Nigerian youth on the need to shun the planned protest.
“We want people to seek dialogue as a better reconciliation tool for venting their grievances. We also hope to organise a summit on October 1st, 2024, as a follow-up to the world press conference. We anticipate that all well-meaning stakeholders will play vital roles in charting a better cause for our youths,” Alamboye said.
He also lauded the efforts of the Presidential Amnesty Programme under Otuaro’s leadership, stressing that the youth groups were solidly behind the President and the PAP administrator.
Also speaking, Henry Okonkwo of the Ohanaeze Youth Council, Tobi Bakare (Yoruba Youth Council), Ifon Daniel (Niger Delta Youth Parliament), and Nasir Lawal (Arewa Youth Council), among others, corroborated Alamboye and expressed support for the President.
Speaking later, Otuaro commended the youth leaders for dissociating themselves from the planned protest. He described Tinubu as a youth-friendly leader who had appointed several youths to serve in different capacities in his government.
He urged Nigerian youths not to allow themselves to be manipulated into unpatriotic activities in the name of protest, stressing that the President needs more time for the benefits of his reforms, policies and programmes to manifest.
“Mr President means well for the country. It is reassuring to know that Nigerian youths are with Mr President, who has been in office for a little over a year. As youths, we should organise ourselves and present our grievances and concerns through constructive dialogues.
“Nobody should manipulate you to achieve their ulterior goals. Most of those championing the so-called protest are only seeking attention and they thrive under the guise of anti-government protests to get attention. Youths should be watchful,” the PAP administrator said.