By Dan Opara
Aftermath of the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria and in Imo State in particular, a cross section of Imo youths under the aegis of “Coalition of Youths Organizations in Imo State”, have collectively drummed their unalloyed support for the Governor of Imo State, Sen.H ope Uzodinma, for his capacity towards quenching the protests in the state.
Shortly after a critical stakeholders meeting of the youth-organizations on Tuesday, Oct.27th 2020 at the Imo Youths Center New Owerri Area of the state, a communiqué was jointly signed and released by the 42 youth-bodies in attendance and made available to the press.
The communiqué states as follows: “That the Coalition has passed a vote of confidence on Governor Hope Uzodinma for the steps taken so far to address the issue of the #EndSARS protests in Imo State and other matters that arose afterward.
That the Coalition has passed a vote of confidence on the Commissioner for Youths, Imo State, Hon. Dan Hamza Ogu, and the confidence vote passed on the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Affairs, Hon. Comr. Eric Uwakwe, for providing the needed leadership amongst the youths, mostly during the turbulent period of the #EndSARS protests saga in Nigeria, and for providing a solid support to the Governor.
That the Coalition has vividly condemned the activities of the hoodlums that obviously hijacked the whole movement which was earlier peaceful across the country.
That the youths have also condemned the ugly and nefarious acts displayed by the hoodlums who embarked on the looting of malls, shops, warehouses, burning of police stations, government properties and killings of innocent Nigerians, even as they called on those involved such dastardly acts to desist and toe the paths of peace, and unity.
That the Coalition has expressively commended the Governor for his steps taken so far to curb the level of insecurity, even as they appealed to the public including the youths of the state to adhere to the curfew mandate given by the Governor.
The communiqué furthermore frowned at the ethnic colouration given to the #EndSARS protests and called on all Nigerians especially the youth-groups in Imo State and in Nigeria to stop spreading what they described as evil conspiracy theory that is capable of threatening the peaceful coexistence of Nigerians in general.
Finally, the Coalition of Imo youths unanimously reaffirmed their non-negotiable stance on the unity of Nigeria and Imo State, in particular even as the youths strictly insisted on “One-Nigeria”.
Some of the youth groups whose representative were present included those “National Youths Council of Nigeria NYCN, Imo State Chapter, Imo Hope For Good Governance, South East Youths For Equity Alliance, Nigerian Youths Congress, NYC, Nigerian Youths Organization, NYO, and Imo Youths Organization, IYO, amongst other youth platforms to mention but a few”.
