The aim of the group is to create impression that Northern youths had withdrawn from the mass action and rubbish the genuine intention of the protest, SaharaReporters learnt

A pro-government group, the Coalition of Northern Youths Leaders Forum has been recruited by the government to dissociate itself from the planned #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest slated for August 1 across the country after paying each member a paltry sum of N1500

The aim of the group is to create impression that Northern youths had withdrawn from the mass action and rubbish the genuine intention of the protest, SaharaReporters learnt

The hired group led by one Murtala Mohammed (Gamji) National President disclosed this at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja. 

He also castigated the promoters of the protest noting that they did not mean well for the country.

He however just admitted the fact that the Bola Tinubu government had inflicted pains, hardship and abject poverty on Nigerians since it came on board.

Meanwhile it was gathered that some of the members of the group were paid the sum of N1500 each to attend the event. 

Findings also revealed that some government officials made efforts to bribe some youths leaders in Northern with the view to truncate and frustrate the planned protest.

In a Facebook post by one of the participants and beneficiaries, he wrote, “Nigeria can’t get it right again. Northern youths leaders invited me for a meeting at Royal Continental hotel zone’ 4 in Abuja at the end of the meeting the sum of N1500 was given to each and everyone of us saying that there’s no protest again

According to a statement by the group obtained by SaharaReporters, it reads, “The Northern Youths leaders forums wishes to dissociate its members and the entire youths of northern Nigeria from the planned protest against the Federal Government of Nigeria by some disgruntled elements who do not mean well for the country. 

“Based on our finding, it was discovered that the groups of people involved in the process of airing our opinions have different opinions such as sinister motives to cause mayhem and economic sabotage by blocking federal roads in Jos, Kaduna State and federal capital thereby increasing the hardships faced by the ordinary people.

“Northern Youths leaders forums appreciate the fact that there is hardship in the land, but at the same time, acknowledge the effort of the government in tackling them, e.g the recently granted local government autonomy which will take government to the grassroots, and the creation of a livestock ministry which is one of the most important aspect needed over time which will solve the centuries old farmers herders crises.”

Recall that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) had on Monday cautioned President Bola Tinubu and security agencies against hunting the leaders and promoters of the upcoming nationwide protest, ‘Day of Rage’ against economic hardship in the country. 

The labour union had pointed out that millions of Nigerians are angry about the state of the national economy just as it advised the government to invite the leadership of the protests movement for discussions on their grievances.