Non- indigenes in Delta State say they would not be participating in the planned 10-day national protest with the hashtag #Endbadgovernanceinnigeria billed to start August 1, 2024. The non-indigenes, comprising of Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, Ibo, Idoma, Tiv, Edo and others, cautioned their community against engaging in a “needless protest” which they insisted was not the panacea to the country’s challenges. Acknowledging the partnership of the Delta State Government with the non-indigenes in form of political appointments and empowerment schemes for some of their members, the leadership said after a careful review of the planned protest, they have directed their members not to be part of it as it would worsen the nation’s economy like the #EndSARS protests of 2020. Declaring their stance at a press conference in Asaba on Tuesday, the non-indigenes contended that the current economic crisis bedeviling the nation was a global crisis, which fall-out, they stated, the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, was addressing frontally. They said they were in possession of security information that some detractors were planning to penetrate the ranks of the non-indigene community in the state, “and we advise our members not to be used to destabilise the polity”. In a communique read by Babatunde Ishmael, leaders said “the non-indigene community Executive also believes that another round of protests after the last #EndSARS protests will actually worsen the precarious economic and security situation being witnessed in the country. “The Delta State government has provided a conducive environment for the non-indigene community in Delta state to carry out their businesses without any form of discrimination or molestation. Also, as a government that has promised all-inclusiveness, the Oborevwori administration has appointed non-indigenes into his government. In order to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal by the Tinubu administration, the Delta State government has been giving palliatives to vulnerable groups in Delta State and also carrying the non-indigene community along in this. “The Executive of the non-indigene community believes that the community should not be dragged into politics and should not be used by politicians to settle political scores”. Arising from a crucial meeting therefore, they resolved that “the current economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians is a global issue and we should exercise restraint and should not be seen ruffling feathers in a matter that can be settled amicably. “The Executives of Non-indigene community in Delta State appealed and directed its members not to be involved in the upcoming national protests as it would worsen the already fragile security and economic situation in the country. The Delta State Government has been partnering with the non-indigene community in Delta State in form of political appointments and empowerment schemes for some of its members and as such we should support the Oborevwori administration and desist from engaging on a needless protest that is not a panacea to our challenges. “We have security information that some detractors are planning to penetrate the ranks of the non-indigene community in the state, and we advise our members not to be used to destabilise the polity. The Delta State government has been giving palliatives in tranches to vulnerable groups, widows, the aged and the disabled, and these include the non-indigene population of Delta State. “The planned protest with the hashtag #Endbadgovernanceinnigeria seems to be politically- motivated, and our members are advised to steer clear of a protest that is likely to be hijacked by hoodlums that can potentially lead to fatalities and injuries. We advise all our members to remain law-abiding, be vigilant and avoid any act that could lead to a breach of law and security of the state and country”.