Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association (IEYDA) has admonished proponents of the planned nationwide protests over economic hardship, to shelve the plan, exercise patience and embrace dialogue.
The association has also declared that it would not partake in the protests.
IEYDA National President, Abdullahi Salau, at a press conference in Ilorin says the various Community Development Associations (CDAs) under the association will also shun the protests.
Salau said the association believed that the government of President Bola Tinubu should be given more time to implement its vision for the people.
IEYDA is an amalgamation of youth development associations across the five local government areas that make up the Ilorin Emirate including Ilorin East, Ilorin West, Ilorin South, Asa, and Moro LGAS.
The president, while admitting the presence of economic hardship in the country, said “beheading is not a solution to migraine” and called for understanding of government policies.
“We are thus encouraged to give them (governments) more time to implement their vision for our community. Similarly, we are poised to support President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, allowing time for his numerous programmes and initiatives to take root and flourish.
“This is as we also urge the President and his team to double their efforts to ensure that the gains of his ongoing reforms are quickly and effectively felt.
“Consequent on the above, we state unequivocally that as youths from across Ilorin Emirate, we would not be partaking in the protests planned to commence on Thursday 1st August, 2024,” Salau said.
He said the association has met with leaders of CDAs across Ilorin Emirate and is happy to report that members have achieved nearly 100 percent unanimity in respect of the issue at stake.
“Instead of protesting, we offer our support to the government at both the state and federal levels through constant engagement.
“We will continue to share our thoughts, ideas, and grievances through dialogue and collaboration. We believe we can achieve far more through dialogue and collaboration than division and unrest.
“We appeal to the organizers to shelve the planned protest and embrace peace, patience, and dialogue,” Salau said.
He called on the government to ensure better and prompt communication of its plans and policies to the people.
“We also particularly urge the governments, both at the state and federal levels, to continue to ensure that dividends, palliatives, programmes, and benefits reach the grassroots in a nonpartisan manner,” Salau said.
The President said that it was the right of citizens to stage protests in accordance with principles of democracy.
He urged them to employ other channels of communication of their grievances rather than opting for street protests.
Salau implored the agitators to approach Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari; and Senator Saliu Mustapha of Kwara Central Senatorial District and present their cases
He said these eminents citizens will make sure grievances of the youths are presented and discussed by the constituted authorities.
“While we fully understand and respect the agitators’ right to be heard, we refuse to close our eyes on the imminent dangers and chaos that might come out of such protests.
“We want to appeal to the youths, Kwarans, and Nigerians at large to exercise patience and reconsider their decision to protest.
“We acknowledge the challenges we face as people; the unbearable hardship, but we must also consider the potential consequences of our actions,” Salau said.
He said in the past, protests were hijacked, leading to destruction of lives and property adding that “we must not be allowed to suffer the same fate. (NAN)
