By Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) in collaboration with some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has advocated for harmony and synergy between the Federal Government and youths protesting against police brutality and bad governance.

They said this during a symposium organised by the YPP and the CSOs in Abuja, stressing the need to put the agitations of the youths in proper perspectives by government and other stakeholders.

This is just as the convener of the Coalition for New Nigeria (CNN), Prince Stanley Okorie, advised Nigerian youths against being used as tools in the hands of those who do not mean well for the country.

Okorie drew the attention to recent ethnic tension that greeted the destruction of properties by hoodlums in the aftermath of the nationwide protests.

YPP representative Oforbuike Okoli said the party believes it was proper for youths and other concerned Nigerians to demand a change in areas that need change.

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”As a political party which seeks among other things, the welfare and well-being of the youths, we stand with the noble objectives of the agitations which fall within the frameworks of law and order.

”We believe that if the future of the country is in the hands of the youths, then they should be accorded needed attention by the government and everyone in the development process.

”The symposium was an opportunity to reflect on the issues that have affected the polity in the not so recent past and forge a common ground between government and the civil society.”

While highlighting the potentials of the youths in harnessing Nigeria’s development aspirations, Oforbuike who is also the Special Assistant on Youths to the YPP National Chairman, stated the need for government to demonstrate sincerity in meeting the demands of the youths.

”We have observed a somewhat dangerous trend where hoodlums and those with ulterior motives tend to hijack peaceful protests for selfish gains.

”It behoves on the political process to yield to the youths and government should understand the signs of the time. A common consensus that emerged from the protest is that the time for the youths to steer the political system has come.”