The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, has declared that there is no going back in the protest against economic hardship and bad governance scheduled to commence tomorrow.
To this end, IYC President, Dr. Theophilus Alaye directed the ijaw Youths of the Niger Delta to observe the rules of engagement when they file out for the nationwide protest.
Alaye gave the advice while reacting to threats from highly placed leaders at states and national level for citizens not to join the protest.
The President in a statement issued Wednesday described the inflammatory statements emanating from political leaders who at various times protested, made so much noise and condemned previous administrations as very unfortunate.
Alaye added that suddenly political leaders who are insensitive to the suffering of the common people are paying stipends ranging from N5,000 to gullible youths and women not to embark on the protest.
He advised the youths to be wary of the antics of political leaders who can not account for the billions of Naira they have received either as governors, state and federal lawmakers, ministers who do not know prices of commodities not to express their pains caused by bad policies of the present crop of leaders.
Alaye urged the youths to bear in mind that the United Nations Charter guarantees every citizen anywhere in the world the right of expression which might come in the form of protesting against unpopular policies as evident in the present federal and state governments in the country.
He noted: “The present administration is confused as it lacks the will power to provide availability of affordable petroleum products, regular supply of electricity, depreciation of naira, corruption at high places, nepotism and ethnic consideration in key appointments at national and state levels.
“The Federal and State governments to initiate programmes and policies that will turnaround the national economy and reduce the current hardship ravaging the country.”
The President urged political leaders paying money and arming vulnerable youths to attack those that would come to protest to heighten and escalate tension to have a rethink, saying that peaceful protest is to draw the attention of the present crop of leaders to reorder their policies for the general good of the citizens.
