Video obtained by SaharaReporters shows Igbo youths in Southeast Nigeria receiving payments to reject the upcoming #EndBadGovernance protest.
The youths, brought together in Enugu, later revealed they received between N10,000 and N15,000 to dissuade their participation in the protest scheduled for August 1-10.
While they denied knowledge of the sponsors’ identities, some observed that this was the first time money was distributed at an Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth gathering.
One of them said, “I don’t know the financers of the meeting but I was paid N15,000 for attending the emergency convention. I learnt that some governors were behind it. It is unfortunate that things had degenerated to this level in the country.”
“I collected the money but if the protest starts in Enugu, I will join. It is about the future of this country. While the federal government is selling 50kg rice for N40,000 in other parts of the country, here in Enugu State it is still sold for N92,000. So, you see the problem,” one of the beneficiaries told SaharaReporters.
Following the meeting, Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, Acting President of the Ohanaeze Youth Wing, addressed reporters to explain why Igbo youths will not participate in the upcoming protest.
While acknowledging the Southeast region’s valid reasons for protest, including economic hardship, high youth unemployment, and inadequate representation in governance, Okpalaezeukwu emphasised their preference for dialogue to address these unique challenges and find lasting solutions.
This approach prioritises constructive collaboration over confrontation, aiming for more effective and sustainable outcomes for the region’s youth., he said.
Okpalaezeukwu recognised the people’s constitutional right to protest and the justifiability of the hunger protest given the country’s current state.
However, he expressed concerns that the protest could lead to loss of lives and property, as seen during the 2020 Endsars protest, and thus opted for a more cautious approach.
“We need one more state to balance the Southeast with other zones,” he said. “We have many of our young people, including Nnamdi Kanu who are held across different detention centres unjustly.
“But we don’t want a repeat of the destruction of our investments across the country because we will become the targets anywhere the protest holds.”
“We will engage in meaningful dialogue to ensure that our voice is heard, moving forward and that equity, fairness and a sense of belonging is guaranteed,” he added.
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