Ijaw youths president: It’s our universal right to protest against bad governance

Alaye Theophilus, president of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), has called on youths in the Niger Delta to join the planned nationwide protest against the rising cost of living in the country.

A planned protest is expected to be held from August 1 to 15.

In a statement on Saturday, Theophilus said the hardship in the country is becoming unbearable as prices of essential commodities continue to rise.

The IYC president said the protest against bad governance is a “universal right” of the youths.

“Nigerians have at various times, from the colonial era to the present dispensation, protested to register their displeasure against bad governance and wonder why the present administration is kicking again citizens to express their dissatisfaction over the current hardship in the country,” the statement reads.

“The APC government rode to power in 2015 on the crest of protest against the then PDP-led federal government for its inability to tackle rising insecurity, unemployment, and corruption.

“Protest is a universal right of citizens to draw attention of those in authority to examine their conduct, programmes and policies and tailor such for the overall development of the country.

“The hardship faced by the people of the Niger Delta, particularly those at the hinterlands, is becoming unbearable as a litre of fuel now sells for over two thousand naira, one sachet of pure water is one hundred naira, and other essential commodities have gone beyond the reach of the people.”

Theophilus added that death has become prevalent in rural areas due to hunger and suffering.

He asked security operatives to be cautious in their approach during the protest to maintain law and order.