The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria has distanced itself from the planned nationwide protest tagged Take-It-Back, warning that such demonstrations could inflame tensions and destabilise the country.
President of the group, Isah Abubakar, in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna, said while the council acknowledges the frustrations of many young Nigerians, it believes that the current atmosphere calls for restraint, dialogue, and national unity, not street protests.
โWe are deeply concerned about the rising tension across various regions and the increasingly fragile socio-political climate.
โAs an organisation committed to youth empowerment, we understand the grievances driving these calls for protest
โHowever, we urge calm and peaceful engagement over actions that may worsen the situation,โ the statement read.
The group noted that previous mass demonstrations, including the EndSARS protest against police brutality, were later hijacked by hoodlums, leading to widespread violence, destruction of public infrastructure, and loss of lives.
โNo one desires a repeat of such tragic events,โ Abubakar warned.
While recognising the legitimacy of the concerns raised by organisers of the planned protest, the NYCN stressed that peace and national stability must take precedence.
The group also pledged to continue working with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure youth voices are heard through constructive and lawful means.
โWe urge our fellow young Nigerians to come together, not through protests, but through meaningful dialogue and civic engagement.
โLet us channel our energy towards building a more inclusive and progressive Nigeria,โ it added.
The council concluded by appealing to Nigerian youths to remain calm, avoid violence, and trust ongoing efforts by authorities to address pressing national issues.
โWe must be patient and vigilant. The path to lasting change is through peaceful, strategic actionโnot chaos,โ it said.
