Over 60,000 youths under the aegis of the Arewa Integrity Group for Good Governance in the North Central region of the country have declined to participate in the planned nationwide protest slated for 1 August.
In a statement released to journalists on Friday in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, the group’s leader Joseph Maiwada, said they made the decision to leave the protest in order to allow the federal government an opportunity to attend to the needs of the people and maintain the peace that is currently in place in the nation and region.
He said that the North Central-born Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, had made many pleas to youth organizations, which was another reason for calling off the demonstration.
Maiwada advised other organisers of the nationwide protest to shelve their plans, adding that it would not benefit the nation, considering the negative effects of past protests on many citizens and their means of livelihood.
“Instead of embarking on the protest, I urge the youths to support the efforts of the federal government to address the socio-economic challenges facing the country,” the statement added.
