The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, has directed youths in the region to join the nationwide protest against bad governance billed to commence on 1st August 2024.
The council also urged security agents to be cautious in their approach and not to be overzealous and brutal while monitoring the protest to maintain law and order.
Frustrated Nigerians have scheduled the one-week protest tagged “one week of rage” to protest against the hardship in the land.
However, the federal government has rallied traditional rulers, and religious leaders, to persuade the youths against joining the protest.
Reacting to statements issued by the Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police, State Governors, Ministers and other top government functionaries not to stage any protest, the President of IYC, Dr Theophilus Alaye in a statement on Saturday said from the colonial era to the present dispensation, Nigerians have protested to register their displeasure against bad governance.
The council said, “Dr Alaye Theophilus has on behalf of the Council called on the Youths of the Niger Delta, particularly those of Ijaw extraction to join the proposed nationwide protest billed for 1st August 2024.
“The hardship faced by the people of the Niger Delta particularly those at the hinterlands is becoming unbearable as a litre of fuel now sells for over N2,000; one pure water sells for N100 and other essential commodities have gone beyond the reach of the people.
“Sudden death has become a common occurrence in the rural area due to hunger and untold suffering.”
Alaye wondered why the present administration was kicking against citizens’ decision to express their dissatisfaction over the current hardship in the country.
The IYC president recalled that the APC government rode to power in 2015 on the crest of protest against the then Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for its inability to tackle rising insecurity, unemployment and corruption.
Alaye said a protest is the universal right of citizens to draw the attention of those in authority to examine their conduct, programmes and policies and tailor such for the overall development of the country.
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