Protest: Communicate grievances through alternative means, Dayo Israel tells youths

As some aggrieved Nigerians warm up to embark on nationwide protests scheduled to commence from August 1-10, 2024, National Youth Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dayo Israel, has urged the nation’s youths at large to communicate their grievances through alternative means that do not put families and businesses across the country at risk.

Israel gave this counsel in an open letter to Nigerians, copy of which was made available to newsmen, noting that it was within their right to protest, even as agreed to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but quickly observed that recent #EndSARS episode, which started as a genuine agitation, and “later hijacked to cause mayhem” bringing about carnage, with businesses of innocent individuals destroyed in the process, “has put us all on red alert when we hear protest.”

This was just as Israel assured that President Tinubu was poised to reposition the country to one every Nigerian can be proud of by addressing the hardship pervading the land, which he said was inherited by the present administration from previous ones.

“It is within our right to protest, I have participated in protest and believe in peaceful protest. As the President said, ‘we are not afraid of protest.’

“However, our recent experience with the last National protest, in the name of #EndSARS, which started as a genuine agitation, and was later hijacked to cause mayhem and bring about carnage, destroying businesses of innocent individuals in the process, have put us all on red alert when we hear protest. May we never again experience the carnage of #EndSARS. Those who wish to set the nation on fire must be shamed.

“As such, I called on all our progressive youths, Jagaban (Army) movement members; and the Nigerian youth at large, let us communicate our grievance through alternative means that do not put families and businesses at risk. We have only 1 Nation.

“Don’t be misled by the enemies of Nigeria, and those who seek to divide us,” Israel cautioned.

“I know how you feel and I can assure you, this too shall pass.

“Life is still far too expensive for many of us. But worry not. I can assure you the man at the wheel has not blinked an eye in ensuring that we all can smile again.

“The truth is, he inherited an economy that was already struggling with record debt, high unemployment, low oil output, subsidies that drained government finances and power shortages that have crippled growth.

“As someone who has had the privilege of interacting with President Tinubu, I know of his heart to fix Nigeria, it is his intention to build a country we can be proud of and hand over to our generation a country with low unemployment. and massive industrialization,” he assured.

The APC National Youth Leader argued that this dream is what is behind many of President Tinubu’s policy decisions and programmes to give all Nigerians a chance at prosperity and to make their hope a reality.

According to him, the president is unbundling his bag of goodies for Nigerians starting from the New Minimum Wage to Student Loan, Advancing Local Government Autonomy to massive infrastructure projects, among others, pointing out that there had been increase in government revenue since the removal of fuel subsidy, and a strong indications that the economic was recovering which would ultimately reduce the cost of living.

“I know some of these reforms are hitting you below the belt, but let us remember – though weeping endure for the night, joy comes in the morning.

“Joy is coming my fellow Nigerians. Mr President will make good his promise to Nigerians. You have endured a lot already, result is very closeby, don’t lose hope.

“Mr President has been following the agitation of the past few weeks and is listening. He is committed to make all possible short term amendments and fix low hanging fruit expectations. And you can be assured of the President’s doggedness and unflinching commitment to Nigeria’s success, he will leave no stone unturned,” he further assured.

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