Ex-militants operating under the banner of the “Akwa Ibom Ex-Agitators Forum” have cautioned youths in the State against participating in the exercise ahead of the anticipated nationwide protest scheduled today August 1, 2024.

They pointed out that the state’s current tranquility was threatened by the demonstration, and it would be ineffective.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, 31 July 2024 in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, the forum’s Chairman, Alban Paulinus, stated that the organization has placed members whom he called “anti-protesters” in key locations throughout the State to safeguard public property and prevent looting and vandalism.

He said, “We are here to tell the world that we reject protests with no face.” Akwa Ibom State is a very peaceful State, and we as the Akwa Ibom Ex-Agitators Forum would not allow any anonymous group to ruin the peace we are experiencing here.

“We in Akwa Ibom should protest if there is a need for it. We believe that it is not appropriate for us to protest because the Senate President, our brother and the third most important citizen, is present. We shall carry on with our regular business, and we beg every Akwa Ibom citizen to do the same, refusing to be intimidated into a faceless protest.

“Organizing a demonstration now could backfire and endanger the tranquility of the community. As an alternative, we demand that the government solve the urgent problem of hunger and enhance the quality of life for all of our people. We support preserving stability and peace in both our State and the country. We recognize the economic difficulties Nigerians experience, but we also stress the importance of working with the government to develop long-term solutions through constructive communication and cooperation.”

Additionally, he said, “We hope to prevent potential violence and encourage a more peaceful approach to addressing our country’s economic woes by urging our youths to boycott the planned protests.”

As former agitators in the fight to create a Niger Delta that we can call home, we sternly caution against anyone attacking, robbing, or stealing under the pretense of protesting. It is necessary to denounce looting. To safeguard our infrastructure, our members have already been mobilized around the State. All Akwa Ibomites own our public institutions, which were constructed with their own resources. Consequently, no one should target a government building, office, or other establishment. Everywhere around the State, members of our forum are deploying to defend our public utilities with their last breath. He emphasized that a nation cannot be built in a year and urged Nigerians to have patience with President Bola Tinubu.

The group secretary, Johnson Solomon, emphasized why Akwa Ibom will not participate in the protest, saying: “You want us to work together to carry out the protest, but when we were shouting about marginalization, no one listened to us.” We say no. Tomorrow, a large group of us from the Niger Delta will gather to confront the anonymous group in the manner of anti-protesters.

Emmanuel Essang, the head of Obollo Youths, in his remarks said, “We are in the era of intellectual struggle. The days of taking to the streets have passed.” The President will speak to the aspirations of Nigerians, as he has heard them. Rome was not built in a day.

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