Protests: Gov Adeleke urges CSO, others to thread part of peace

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has emphasised the need for members of the Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in Osun and other stakeholders planning to join the nationwide protests to avoid actions that could undermine the peace and security of the state.

Governor Adeleke gave this advice ahead of the planned protests scheduled for August 1, lasting ten days, during a comprehensive citizen engagement dialogue with CSO members and other groups at the Finance Building, State Secretariat, Abeere.

The governor acknowledged the protesters’ inalienable right to protest as enshrined in the Constitution but warned against any actions that could jeopardize the peace and tranquillity of Osun and its people.

Mr Adeleke, represented by Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi and some members of the Osun State Executive Council, stressed the need to maintain the state’s peace and harmony should be the top priority during the protests.

“My administration is committed to making Osun a reference point for other states in Nigeria. I therefore implore you to be law-abiding before, during, and after the nationwide protests, as my administration will not tolerate any violence in Osun State while you carry out your protests.

“In Osun, we are known for being good and peaceful, and we should maintain our pride as a state that excels in all things good and developmental,” concluded Governor Adeleke through his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi.

Osun State Commissioner of Police, Umar Abba, and General Officer Commanding Engineering Construction Regiment, Ede, Brigadier General Abdul Kareem Aliyu, also advised the protesters to be decorous while protesting in Osun State.

Mr Aliyu pointed out that Osun is arguably the most peaceful state in Nigeria and urged the protesters not to compromise this reputation by staging a violent protest.

Additionally, all the Service Chiefs, including the Nigeria Police, Army, DSS, Immigration, Correctional Centre, Civil Defence, Air Force, and Road Safety, unanimously contributed to discouraging any tendency for the protests to devolve into hooliganism and lawlessness, stressing that anyone caught would face consequences.