The Coalition of Niger Delta Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has called on all affiliates and members to abstain from participating in the nationwide protests planned for August 1.
In a joint press conference held yesterday, Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, the group’s coordinator, appealed to members and affiliates to disregard calls for protests that could lead to disruption and chaos, allegedly in the name of representing the Niger Delta and South-South regions’ interests.
“We, the Coalition of Niger Delta Civil Societies, representing various youth and women organizations across the Niger Delta and South-South regions, unequivocally dissociate ourselves from the planned protests being touted by certain factions within our region,” Uwejeyan stated.
He continued, “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 and South-South region. We categorically state that we do not endorse or support the protests in any form. Our respective organizations represent the voices of peace, progress, and unity, and we are committed to pursuing our objectives through dialogue, constructive engagement, and lawful means.”
Uwejeyan urged members to recognize the potential harm such actions could bring to their communities, noting, “Protests that are not well-coordinated and 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 do not have the interests of our people at heart.”
Highlighting the coalition’s commitment to fostering peace, development, and good governance within the Niger Delta and South-South regions, Uwejeyan added, “Resorting to protests that are likely to devolve into chaos and violence is counterproductive and detrimental to the progress we have collectively achieved. We are committed to resisting any attempts by selfish individuals or groups to incite unrest and destabilize our regions.”
The coalition also called on security agencies to remain vigilant and ensure the peace and security of their regions are not compromised by the planned protest. They urged 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,” Uwejeyan concluded. “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.”
