Affiliates and members of Coalition of Niger Delta Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have been urged to shun the August 1 planned nationwide protest.
While addressing a joint press conference yesterday, the group’s coordinator, Comrade Israel Uwejeyan charged its members and affiliates to disregard calls for protest aimed at causing disruption and chaos under the guise of representing the interests of the Niger Delta and South-South regions.
Uwejeyan said, “We, the Coalition of Niger Delta Civil Societies, representing various youth and women organizations across the Niger Delta and South-South, unequivocally dissociate ourselves from the planned protest being touted by certain factions within our region.
“It has come to our attention that there are calls for protests aimed at causing disruption and chaos under the guise of representing the interests of the Niger Delta, South-South region.
“We categorically state that we do not endorse or support the protests in any form. Our respective organisations represent the voices of peace, progress, and unity, and we’re committed to pursuing our objectives through dialogue, constructive engagement, and lawful means,” he said.
The coordinator added, “We urge all our members and affiliates to refrain from participating in this planned protest. It’s imperative that we recognise the potential harm such actions could bring to our communities.
“Protests that are not well-coordinated and that do not have a clear, lawful mandate can easily be hijacked by unscrupulous elements seeking to exploit genuine grievances for their selfish ends. We must remain vigilant and not allow our noble causes to be undermined by those who don’t have the interest of our people at heart.
According to Uwejeyan, their organizations have worked tirelessly to foster peace, development, and good governance within the Niger Delta, South-South region. We believe that true progress can only be achieved through sustained efforts at building dialogue, understanding, and collaboration with all stakeholders, including the government and private sector.
“Resorting to protests that are likely to devolve into chaos and violence is counterproductive and detrimental to the progress we have collectively achieved.
“We’re committed to resisting any attempts by selfish individuals or groups to incite unrest and destabilize our regions. Our focus remains on empowering our youth and women, advocating for good governance, and promoting peace and reconciliation. We stand united in our resolve to ensure that the aspirations of our people are realized through peaceful and legitimate means.
While calling on the security agencies to be vigilant and ensure that the peace and security of our regions are not compromised by the planned protest, the group said, “We also urge all well-meaning citizens of the Niger Delta and South-South to remain calm and not be swayed by provocative rhetoric and unfounded allegations.
“We reiterate our commitment to peace, development, and good governance. We encourage all our members to continue to engage in constructive activities that promote the well-being of our communities. Together, we can build a prosperous and peaceful future for the Niger Delta and South-South,” Uwejeyan added.
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