From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
A coalition of youths in Plateau State has announced the suspension of the 10-day protest against economic hardship in the country.
The youths said they are suspending the protest from Monday to Tuesday to allow for dialogue with the Federal Government.
The spokesman of the coalition, John Enoch Vilret, who spoke at a late-evening press briefing at the NUJ Press Centre in Jos on Sunday, said that the coalition denounced the use of the Russian flag during the protest.
He said it did not represent the views and vision of the protesters.
The youths vowed to resume their protest if no concrete steps were taken to accede to the demands of the protesters.
The text of the briefing reads: “The Jos End Bad Governance Protest 2024 coalition announces the suspension of our protest for two days, effective immediately from Monday to Tuesday, 6th August 2024.
“This decision has been made to allow for dialogue with relevant authorities, as stated by the President of the Federation in his speech today. We remain committed to our cause and are hopeful that this period will facilitate constructive discussions.
“Should these dialogues not occur within the stipulated time, we will resume our peaceful protests.
“We wish to categorically disassociate ourselves from any group of protesters carrying the Russian flag or any other flag that is not the Nigerian flag. Such actions are not representative of our movement. We urge security forces to arrest any individuals seen engaging in this behaviour, as it undermines the integrity of our cause.”
The youths also denounced the wanton looting and destruction that had characterised the action and called on security agents to arrest the perpetrators.
Vilret said: “It has come to our attention that certain elements, opposed to the peaceful manner in which we have conducted our protests over the past four days, are planning to incite looting and vandalism.
“We strongly condemn such actions and call on security forces to arrest anyone found engaging in these activities. Our movement is dedicated to peaceful advocacy, and we will not tolerate any form of violence or destruction.
“The coalition clarified that we are not the organisers of this protest. Instead, we are leaders in our own right on the Plateau, who have stepped in to coordinate and ensure that the protests remain peaceful and orderly. Our primary aim is to guide and support the voices of our fellow citizens in a responsible and constructive manner.”
They urged all Nigerians, and the good people of Plateau State, to continue to be law-abiding and to hold onto the hope that Nigeria will be great again.