The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria has distanced itself from the planned nationwide protest tagged ‘Take-It-Back’, caution that similar protest in the past had inflamed tensions in the country. President of the group, Isah Abubakar, in a statement issued yesterday in Kaduna, saying while the council acknowledges the current hardship and frustrations young Nigerians are passing through, the group believes that the current atmosphere calls for restraint, dialogue, and national unity, not street protests.
According to him, “We are deeply concerned about the rising tension across various regions and the increasingly fragile socio-political climate.
“As an organisation committed to youth empowerment, we understand the grievances driving these calls for protest.
“However, we urge calm and peaceful engagement over actions that may worsen the situation,” the statement read.
The group noted that previous mass demonstrations, including the EndSARS protest against police brutality, were later hijacked by hoodlums, leading to widespread violence, destruction of public infrastructure, and loss of lives.
“No one desires a repeat of such tragic events,” Abubakar warned.
Although the group acknowledged that it was within their right as citizen to protest when thing are not working well in the country, however, the youth group noted that peace and national stability must take precedence in the country.
The NYCN also pledged to continue working with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure youth voices are heard through constructive and lawful means of dialouging instead of making the atmosphere chaotic.
“We urge our fellow young Nigerians to come together, not through protests, but through meaningful dialogue and civic engagement.
The statement added, “Let us channel our energy towards building a more inclusive and progressive Nigeria,” it added.
The council concluded by appealing to Nigerian youths to remain calm, avoid violence, and trust ongoing efforts by authorities to address pressing national issues.
“We must be patient and vigilant. The path to lasting change is through peaceful, strategic action—not chaos,” the statement concluded.
“Let us channel our energy towards building a more inclusive and progressive Nigeria,” it added.
The council concluded by appealing to Nigerian youths to remain calm, avoid violence, and trust ongoing efforts by authorities to address pressing national issues.
“We must be patient and vigilant. The path to lasting change is through peaceful, strategic action—not chaos,” it said.