North East Initiative for Peace, Orientation urges youths to shun planned nationwide protest

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The North East Initiative for Peace and Orientation (NEIPO) had urged youths to exercise extreme caution and refrain from participating in the planned protest across Nigeria, especially at this critical juncture.

It said they understand the frustrations and hardships faced by ordinary citizens and cannot ignore the potential risks associated with this protest.

This was contained in a statement by the spokesperson of the Initiative, Emmanuel Gwana Turaki on behalf of the National Coordinator, Abba Garo.

According to the statement, the masterminds behind the planned protest are unclear, and fear it may be hijacked by individuals with ulterior motives, leading to chaos and crises in our communities.

“We draw lessons from the experiences of Sudan and Libya, where similar protests were hijacked, resulting in devastating consequences.

“Instead, we call on the Federal and State Governments to urgently address the plight of the common man. We implore them to provide succor and solace to Nigerians and revisit their decisions that have caused hardship across the country.

“We want to emphasize that our call for caution is not a call to silence or inaction. Rather, it is a call to wisdom and strategic thinking. We must not allow our genuine grievances to be exploited by individuals or groups with hidden agendas. Let us not forget that the consequences of violence and chaos will be borne by our communities, our families, and our future,” it stressed.

The Initiative believed that constructive dialogue and engagement with stakeholders are more effective ways to bring about positive change.

It urged the government to create platforms for listening to the concerns of citizens and to work towards addressing them.

Besides, it also encourage citizens to engage in peaceful and respectful advocacy, using channels that promote constructive conversation and collaboration.

“We must also highlight the importance of unity and solidarity during these challenging times. Divisions among us will only weaken our efforts to bring about meaningful change. By standing together and supporting each other, we can more effectively advocate for our rights and achieve our common goals,” the statement added.

Furthermore, the Initiative encouraged youths to engage in community development initiatives by actively participating in local projects and programs that can make tangible difference in communities and demonstrate commitment to progress and positive change.