The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has announced that it will not be part of the nationwide protest organized by the ‘Take It Back Movement’, set to begin today. The group cited concerns about the fragile security situation in the country, particularly in the northern region, as well as the potential for further unrest.
The announcement came from the National President of the NYCN, Isah Abubakar, who made the statement in a press release issued on Sunday in Kaduna. He called for peace and unity among Nigerian youths, stressing that the country’s current socio-political climate required caution and dialogue, not more division.
“The situation in the country is very fragile at the moment. We cannot afford to escalate the tensions that already exist. As the Northern Youth Council, we believe that the safety and security of Nigerians, particularly the youth, should be our top priority,” Abubakar said. “We urge our fellow youths to find peaceful and constructive ways to express their concerns, rather than resorting to protests that could further fuel the fire of unrest.”
The planned protest, organized by the ‘Take It Back Movement’, is part of a larger national call for action, focusing on issues such as government accountability, corruption, and youth empowerment. However, Abubakar’s statement reflects deep concerns about the timing of the demonstration, given the fragile security situation in Nigeria, particularly in the north, where tensions have been high in recent months.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) also weighed in on the planned protest, calling on the organizers to reconsider their decision. In a statement, the NPF described the protest as “ill-conceived and mischievous,” emphasizing that the country is already grappling with serious security challenges, and the timing of the protest could worsen the situation.
Abubakar agreed with the police’s assessment, pointing out that the country’s fragile state calls for more measured actions. “The government is already working to address the issues at hand. We do not want to do anything that will create more tension or make it harder for peace to prevail,” he stated.
The NYCN president acknowledged the legitimacy of the grievances that have led to calls for the protest, particularly the frustrations and aspirations of young Nigerians who feel sidelined in the nation’s development. However, he stressed that the country’s immediate need is peace and national stability, not further disruption.
“We understand the pain and frustration that many young Nigerians are experiencing. But right now, our focus should be on peace, patience, and dialogue. We need to find common ground and build a better, more inclusive Nigeria, rather than contributing to further instability,” Abubakar explained.
The NYCN’s decision to stay away from the ‘Take It Back Movement’ protest was also influenced by the memory of past protests, particularly the 2020 “End Bad Governance” demonstrations. During those protests, which saw widespread anger over government policies and the state of the nation, there were reports of violence, loss of lives, and destruction of property worth millions of Naira.
Abubakar expressed sadness over the events of 2020, recalling that the protests were hijacked by hoodlums and miscreants, which led to chaos in many parts of the country. He stated that the NYCN did not want a repeat of such tragic events, where young people lost their lives and businesses were destroyed.
“No one wants to see that kind of destruction again. We cannot afford to let our protests be hijacked by individuals who do not have the welfare of the people at heart,” he said.
He highlighted that while protests are a legitimate form of expressing dissatisfaction with the government, they should always remain peaceful and not turn into violent confrontations that only serve to deepen divisions in the country.
While NYCN is not supporting the ‘Take It Back Movement’ protest, Abubakar was clear that the council supports the right of Nigerians to express their grievances through peaceful means. He encouraged the youth to channel their frustrations into more constructive avenues, such as peaceful dialogues and engagements that can bring about lasting change.
“Unity is more important than ever. We must come together as one force to advocate for our rights and work together for a better Nigeria,” Abubakar said. “Protests are one way to demand change, but we also have other tools at our disposal. Let us not forget that peace and unity will always be the foundation of any successful movement.”
He further called on Nigerian youths to remain calm and avoid any form of violence, urging them to focus on peaceful and legitimate activities that will allow the government to address pressing issues.
Abubakar also assured that the NYCN is committed to collaborating with government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that the voices of young people are heard in a way that promotes national stability.
“The NYCN is fully committed to the development and empowerment of Nigerian youths. We will continue to engage with the government and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the voices of the youth are heard, and their concerns are addressed in peaceful, constructive ways,” Abubakar added.
Abubakar urged Nigerian youths to explore alternative methods of protest, such as peaceful demonstrations, civic engagement, and dialogue with policymakers, rather than resorting to actions that could lead to further instability in the country. “The future of Nigeria depends on us, and we must act wisely, with the greater good in mind,” he said.
