As calls for nationwide protests grow louder, the South-South Youth Amalgamation has urged Nigerians—especially the youth—to reject street demonstrations that could disrupt national unity and public peace.
In a statement signed by its Convener, John Albert Clarkson, the group warned that poorly managed protests could deepen Nigeria’s already fragile political and social tensions. Clarkson expressed concern over what he described as a dangerous rise in inflammatory rhetoric and ethnic manipulation fueling unrest across the country.
He encouraged Nigerians to prioritize peaceful dialogue over protests, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding national unity. The group cited the #EndSARS protests of October 2020 as a cautionary tale. Clarkson recalled how that initially peaceful movement against police brutality turned violent after being hijacked by individuals with hidden agendas.
“Hijackers turned a noble cause into chaos,” Clarkson said, referencing the widespread looting, killings, and collapse of public order that followed the protests. He also criticized the spread of misinformation, particularly surrounding the alleged massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate. According to him, unverified reports sparked domestic turmoil and drew international condemnation based on misleading narratives.
Clarkson added that separatist groups like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) exploited the unrest to incite ethnic violence, particularly targeting Northern Nigerians.
The group acknowledged that while peaceful protest is a legal right under Nigerian and international law, that right does not include violence or destruction. “Democracy cannot flourish when citizens live under threats of aggression,” Clarkson said. “Peaceful protest is a right; violence disguised as protest is a crime.”
The group called on government leaders, civil society organizations, and the media to promote dialogue instead of division. “We must work together to address legitimate grievances through peaceful and constructive means,” they urged.
Clarkson concluded by urging all Nigerians to reject violence and uphold national unity. “We strongly oppose any planned protests that could destabilize the country. We encourage citizens to engage in peaceful discourse that respects the rights and dignity of all Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity,” he said.
