Frontline leaders representing over 60 youthful organisations on Thursday promised the office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme that their members would steer clear of the October 1 nationwide protest.
The groups alleged that the demonstration being planned by some agitated youths and civil society movements was targeted at embarrassing the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The delegation led by the President of Nigeria Youth Organization, Duke Alamboye, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, in Abuja.
This was contained in a press release issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, Mr Igoniko Oduma, on Thursday.
Alamboye promised to work together with a network of other groups to ensure that Nigerians were not misled into taking part in any ill-advised protest against the current government.
He also encouraged 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.
The group said, “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 September 23 geared toward sensitising 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 1 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.”
Representatives of the youth bodies include the National Youth Congress, Arewa Youth Council, Yoruba Youth Council, Ohaneze Youth Council, South-South Advocate, Niger Delta Coalition, the Nigeria Nexus and Youth Parliament of Nigeria.
Others were the 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.
Reacting, the PAP administrator praised the youth leaders for dissociating themselves from any planned protest, noting that Tinubu is a youth-friendly leader who had appointed several young Nigerians to serve in different capacities in his government.
Otuaro urged them not to allow themselves to be manipulated into unpatriotic activities in the name of protest, as the President needs more time for his people-oriented reforms, policies, and programmes to manifest.
He said, “Mr President means well for the country. It is reassuring to know that Nigerian youths are with the 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.”(Punch)
