PRESS STATEMENT – July 4, 2024

The Southeast Zone of the National Youth Alliance (NYA) is compelled to respond to the recent press briefing by Governor Hope Uzodimma, Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum, regarding the Southeast region’s indifference to the ongoing nationwide protests.

We categorically state that the absence of protests in the Southeast is not a result of political influence or maneuvering, but rather a manifestation of the people’s detachment from the Nigerian state. Any politician or group claiming credit for this development is either being dishonest or insensitive to the region’s challenges.

The NYA emphasizes that this detachment is a clear indication of widespread disillusionment and disconnection from the Nigerian government, stemming from years of marginalization, neglect, and exclusion from political and economic spheres. Furthermore, the region’s incompetence in governance has created an environment conducive to non-state actors, resulting in a killing ground of innocent citizens.

We urge politicians to refrain from capitalizing on this situation for personal gain and instead focus on addressing the underlying issues driving this detachment. We demand genuine efforts towards inclusivity, equity, and justice for all Nigerians, particularly the Southeastern people.

It is essential to acknowledge that the Southeast region has been exploited by politicians for personal favors, leaving the masses to bear the brunt. The hunger and pain affecting Nigeria are not limited to tribe, religion, or region. However, the constant reality is that every protest in Nigeria causes more havoc and death in the Southeast, leading to a harsh reality of detachment until Nigeria is restructured and every Nigerian is seen as one people with one purpose. This is the Nigeria that the youths of today demand from our leaders, whose desire for power and political control supersedes the welfare and well-being of the people.

Signed,

Comr Amos Kalu
Southeast Media and Publicity Secretary
National Youth Alliance (NYA)