Over 60 million youths under the aegis of the Northern Nigeria Youth Leadership Forum (NNYLF) have declared plans to hold a three-day rally in Abuja in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, countering the planned “Free Nnamdi Kanu” march being organized by former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, the President of the Forum, Murtala Mohammed Gamji, said the group’s decision to mobilize youths across the North was to show solidarity with President Tinubu’s administration and to discourage any attempt by “desperate politicians” to destabilize the country under the guise of activism.
According to Gamji, Sowore and Atiku’s planned protest on October 20 is politically motivated and not in the interest of national unity. He noted that the NNYLF rally, scheduled for October 20 to 23, would instead focus on appreciating the President’s reforms, including the student loan initiative and other programmes he described as “the dividends of renewed hope.” “We are not against the release of Nnamdi Kanu, but the likes of Sowore and Atiku are not sincere. They are only trying to use the protest for political gain,” Gamji said. “On the same day they plan to protest, over 63 million young, vibrant northern youths will be on the streets of Abuja calling on President Tinubu to continue his good works and seek re-election in 2027.”
He accused the opposition figures of exploiting national issues for selfish interests, claiming their actions could endanger the lives of young Nigerians. “Sowore has nothing in Nigeria—he stays in hotels while his family lives abroad. Atiku wants to achieve his selfish ambition with the blood of Nigerian youths. We say no to such politicians,” Gamji added.
The NNYLF leader urged Nigerians to disregard the proposed protest and instead support the current administration’s efforts to sustain peace and development across the nation.
He concluded that President Tinubu, being a “true democrat,” would respond to genuine dialogue rather than politically motivated protests.
