Frontline leaders of more than 60 youth organizations have announced that their members will not participate in the nationwide protest planned for October 1 against the Federal Government. Duke Alamboye, President of the Nigeria Youth Organisation, made this declaration during a courtesy visit to the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, in Abuja.
A statement by Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, revealed that the youth groups opting out of the protest include the National Youth Congress, Arewa Youth Council, Yoruba Youth Council, Ohaneze 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 (NANS), and Youth Empowerment for Peace and Security, among others.
Alamboye stated that these organizations, in collaboration with other youth networks, aim to prevent Nigerian youths from being misled into joining any ill-advised protests against the Federal Government. To achieve this, they plan a series of activities, including a world press conference and a youth summit, to raise awareness about the importance of rejecting demonstrations that could threaten national peace.
He urged youths to adopt constructive dialogue as a means of addressing grievances, highlighting the various channels available to engage with the government without disrupting the peace and stability of the country.
“Regarding the state of the nation, we are aware of the agitations from certain quarters calling for a nationwide protest on October 1, 2024, against President Bola Tinubu’s government. As youth leaders committed to peace and national progress, the Nigeria Youth Organisation is planning a world press conference on September 23, 2024, to sensitize Nigerian youths on the need to avoid the planned protest,” Alamboye said.
“We encourage dialogue as the best tool for resolving grievances. We also plan to hold a summit on October 1, 2024, as a follow-up to the press conference. We hope all stakeholders will contribute to shaping a better path for Nigerian youths.”
Alamboye congratulated Dr. Otuaro on his appointment and praised President Tinubu for selecting a capable leader for the PAP, emphasizing that the youth groups stand firmly behind both Tinubu and the PAP leadership.
