Nigeria: Protest - Northern Youth Groups Withdraw, Allege Criminal Motives

The coalition of northern youth leaders' forum has dissociated Northern youths from planned protests nationwide.

The national president of the coalition, Comrade Murtala Garba and National Secretary, Comrade Dogo Shagari, in a press conference in Abuja on Monday, alleged plans by certain groups of people to hijack the process to cause mayhem in the country.

"The northern youths leaders' forum wishes to dissociate its members and the entire youths of northern Nigeria from the planned protest against the Federal Government of Nigeria by some disgruntled elements who do not mean well for the country.

Comrade Garba told Journalists that they reliably gathered that some of the groups involved have "Sinister motives to cause mayhem and economic sabotage by blocking federal roads in Jos, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory thereby increasing the hardships faced by the ordinary people."

The national president of the forum said, "Northern youths leaders forum appreciates the fact that there is hardship in the land, but at the same time, acknowledge the effort of the government in tackling them.

He said while the groups encourage the government to do more to improve the lives of citizens, they "Stoutly opposed any form of protest or demonstration across northern Nigeria, which will be hijacked by hoodlums to achieve the sinister motive of evil-minded people and enemies of Nigeria."

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