Youth group warns against politicization of protest plans

A youth group, the National Youth Solidarity Front (NYSFN), has supported the right to protest but warned against the potential for abuse of the measure for political gain.

In a press conference held on Saturday in Abuja, the group’s Vice Chairman, Honourable Chinazam Ike, stated that while peaceful protests were a fundamental aspect of democracy, there were concerns that the proposed demonstrations could be hijacked by politicians with ulterior motives.

Ike stressed the importance of protests as a tool to address social issues and hold the government accountable. However, he expressed concern that the current situation could escalate into instability if not managed carefully.

NYSFN also highlighted the country’s economic challenges, particularly blaming the inability to effectively manage the country’s resources. The group urged youths to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s call for caution, stressing the potential negative impact of the widespread protests on Nigeria’s future.

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The statement reads in part, “We strongly agree with the spirit and content of the letter to hold the government accountable, to express views or even to express displeasure, these are not just the basics of democracy or a free society, these are the foundations built by the founders of our nation. The shift from nationalism that eventually led to the country’s independence and then the struggle to return to democracy are some of the struggles that have been achieved through relentless and ideological protests. As young people, we fully support the instrument of peaceful protest directed towards the actualization of better programs for our beloved Nation.

“However, protests that are then used as weapons to start political instability is something we do not like. We have seen many stories in African countries where peaceful protests have led to peaceful resolution of social problems, we have also seen situations where countries have collapsed when peaceful protests were used as weapons by politicians who were desperate to create political instability, seize power or cut off democracy that guarantees the right and freedom of protest in the first place. We have strong reasons to believe that the proposed protests benefit the latter, we have secret and classified information that alludes to the interference of the proposed protests by politicians who see it as a means to solve their political problems.

“As young people who have responsibility for the present and future of the nation, we feel it is unpatriotic to continue to move forward and provide an environment that allows desperate politicians to exploit it to create instability.

“The economic problem of our dear country is our inability to convert our resources into just wealth as other oil-rich countries have done. In fact, the artificial hardship the country is facing is due to its inability to provide affordable fuel that drives the country’s economy. We therefore reiterate our protest to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has appealed to us, the youths, to be careful not to take for granted this country that holds the promise of a bright future.”

Youth group warns against politicization of planned protests first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.