Nationwide Protest: IYC Urges Niger Delta Youths To Come Out En-Masse

By Akinwale Kasali

The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, has thrown its weight behind the proposed August 1, 2024, planned nationwide protest against hardship and sufferings of the masses.

Alaye Theophilus, President, IYC Worldwide, said it was necessary for Niger Delta Youths to come out peacefully and protest against bad governance.

The IYC President, who reacted to statements issued by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Col. Lagbaja, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, State Governors, Ministers, and other top Government functionaries asking Nigerians not to stage any protest, rather,  they should persevere, promising to address the situation.

Theophilus said Nigerians had, at various times, from the colonial era to the present dispensation, protested to register their displeasure against bad governance and wondered why the present administration is kicking against citizens’ rights to express their dissatisfaction over the current hardship in the country.

He recalled how the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC,  Government rode to power in 2015 on the crest of protests against the then Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led Federal Government of former President Goodluck  Jonathan for its inability to tackle rising insecurity, unemployment, and corruption.

According to him, protest is a universal right of citizens to draw attention of those in authority to examine their conduct, programmes, and policies and tailor them for the country’s overall development.

“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 for N100, and other essential commodities have gone beyond the reach of the people.

“Sudden deaths have become a common occurrence in rural areas due to hunger and untold suffering,” he stated.

He advised security agents to be cautious in their approach and urged them not to be overzealous and brutal while monitoring the protest in order to maintain law and order.