The Coalition of Middle Belt Youth Leaders and Middle Belt Ethnic Youth Leaders have distanced themselves from a planned protest against the current administration.
The youth leaders described the planned protest as an attempt to set the country ablaze, stating that it is not driven by altruism but by selfish ambition.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday in Abuja on behalf of the group, Middle Belt Youth Leader Nasiru Jagaba stated that while the protest seems to be driven by the masses who are suffering from worsening economic hardship, it is, in reality, orchestrated by faceless individuals operating behind the scenes.
He alleged that paid thugs and criminals have been armed to incite chaos and unrest, ultimately aiming to destroy lives and property during the protest.
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“Our attention has been drawn to ongoing mobilization for a nationwide protest aimed at drawing the government’s attention to current economic hardships and high inflation,” Jagaba said.
“The planned protest appears to be driven by the masses who are most affected by the worsening economic conditions. However, in reality, it is led by faceless individuals orchestrating the nationwide protest from behind the scenes.
“These individuals are prepared to go to any lengths to ignite violence and make the government ungovernable at the expense of innocent lives and property because they did not receive what they believe they deserved under President Tinubu’s administration.
“While we acknowledge the presence of hardship, we believe that the current situation is an inherited challenge that should not be resolved at the expense of the people of the Middle Belt.
“We in the Middle Belt believe that these efforts to ignite chaos are driven not by altruism but by selfish ambitions,” the statement continued.
The youth leaders urged all Middle Belt residents to remain calm and avoid participating in the planned protest, which they believe would destabilize the region’s peace. They emphasized their intention to seek alternative methods to address the current economic challenges.
“Our call for a boycott is motivated by the need to protect our people, particularly the countless rural dwellers who suffer from persistent attacks by militia groups.
“While we acknowledge President Tinubu’s efforts to address the damage caused by previous administrations, we urge him to be more equitable, especially toward Middle Belt ethnic nationalities. We assure that we will not participate in undermining this effort to recover Nigeria.
“Those organizing the protest have substantial funds to mobilize, misinform, and incite innocent citizens to take to the streets with a hidden agenda of causing violence, destruction, and disruption.
“We also urge President Tinubu to collaborate with his team to develop sustainable solutions to improve living conditions for Nigerians nationwide. If the current team cannot deliver, the President should seek individuals who can.
“There are reports that the protest planners are plotting to lay a military-style siege on the FCT by blocking entry and exit routes to the city, potentially creating confrontations with security personnel or making the seat of government vulnerable to non-state actors.
“We also challenge President Tinubu to reduce expenditures on public office holders in line with the current economic reality,” Jagaba added.
