The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has publicly distanced itself from the planned nationwide protest, Take-It-Back, cautioning that such demonstrations could further escalate tensions and destabilize the country. In a statement issued on Sunday from Kaduna, Isah Abubakar, the president of the council, emphasized the need for national unity, calm, and dialogue instead of street protests, especially given the fragile socio-political environment in the country.
While the council acknowledges the growing frustration among many young Nigerians, Abubakar stressed that the current climate calls for measured responses. “We are deeply concerned about the rising tensions across various regions and the increasingly fragile socio-political climate,” he said, acknowledging the legitimate grievances that have fueled the calls for protest. However, he urged for restraint, emphasizing that any action that might worsen the situation should be avoided. The NYCN’s leadership called for peaceful engagement and dialogue to address the issues, rather than resorting to actions that could escalate into violence.
The council’s statement highlights the lessons learned from past mass demonstrations, such as the #EndSARS protest against police brutality. Abubakar pointed out that while these protests began as peaceful calls for change, they were eventually hijacked by criminal elements, leading to widespread violence, destruction of property, and the tragic loss of lives. “No one desires a repeat of such tragic events,” he warned, urging both the government and citizens to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
Though the NYCN recognizes the legitimacy of the issues raised by the protest organizers, it underscored that peace and national stability must take precedence. The group expressed its commitment to continuing its work with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to ensure that the voices of the youth are heard through constructive and lawful means. They appealed to young Nigerians to direct their energies toward meaningful civic engagement rather than protests.
“We urge our fellow young Nigerians to come together, not through protests, but through meaningful dialogue and civic engagement,” the statement read. The NYCN emphasized that the collective focus should be on building a more inclusive, progressive, and peaceful Nigeria, rather than contributing to further division and unrest.
Concluding the statement, the council appealed to the youth to remain calm and avoid violence during this period of heightened tensions. It urged them to trust in the ongoing efforts of the government to address pressing national concerns, stressing that the path to lasting change lies in peaceful, strategic action, not chaos. “We must be patient and vigilant,” Abubakar said. “The path to lasting change is through peaceful, strategic action—not chaos.”
In this moment of national uncertainty, the NYCN calls for a united effort in shaping a better future for Nigeria through dialogue, collaboration, and peaceful engagement, in hopes of steering the country away from the turmoil that past protests have left in their wake.
