A coalition of 15 million Yoruba youths, under the aegis of the Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide (YCYW), has withdrawn from the planned nationwide protest against bad governance in Nigeria.
The Yoruba Youths Council Worldwide, comprising Nigerian youths from the six states in the South West geopolitical zone, both domestically and in the diaspora, based their decision on discovering a hidden agenda by the protest’s promoters.
During a press conference in Lagos, the council affirmed that peaceful protests or demonstrations are essential elements of democracy and remain a constitutional right for Nigerians. However, the council expressed concerns that the organizers of the “EndBadGovernance” protest might be pursuing a hidden agenda beyond the supposed peaceful demonstration, thus heating up the polity and creating fear among Nigerians.
The council emphasized, “Despite the notable achievements of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration in just over a year in office, it would be ungrateful to think the best way to urge the government to put in more efforts is by destabilizing the country through what appears to be a sponsored protest.”
They added, “While we acknowledge the nation’s current challenges, it would be equally unpatriotic to destroy the country to push our demands. Many Nigerians have yet to recover from the losses incurred during the ENDSARS protest, where numerous public assets were destroyed, businesses looted, and lives lost. Yet, Nigeria continues to exist as a united nation.”
The youth council pointed out that it is unreasonable to expect a government to fix over 16 years of decadence in just one year, especially one that is working tirelessly to address issues like hunger, insecurity, and a struggling economy. They questioned the sudden urgency for such protests.
The council urged fellow youths to look beyond regional, religious, and tribal sentiments and appreciate the government’s significant achievements in a short period. The council listed several accomplishments of President Tinubu’s administration, including:
– Approval of local government autonomy to connect with the grassroots.
– Introduction of a student loan program, the first in Nigeria’s history.
– Collaborative efforts in the agricultural sector, distributing over four million bags of fertilizer to combat hunger.
– Over 100% increase in the minimum wage to improve living standards.
– Increased federal allocations to states to ensure the dividends of democracy reach everyone.
– Effective actions by appointees, such as Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who recently intercepted trailers loaded with illegal ammunition.
In a press release signed by Amb. Shittu Ajibade Sunday, Northern Coordinator of the Council, the coalition highlighted the Nigeria Customs’ distribution of seized rice to vulnerable Nigerians as a significant achievement, noting that many families and friends have benefited from this gesture.
The youth council reaffirmed its faith in the current government, stating, “We believe it’s entirely wrong to incite protests against a working government.” They have, therefore, completely withdrawn from the planned national protest and urged other Nigerian youths to avoid violence and expose any malicious intent disguised as a hunger protest. “Let President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR breathe!” they stated.
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