Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, has tasked organisers and participants in the August 1 countrywide protest with keeping Osun State violence-free throughout the demonstration.
Adeleke has said that his administration will not tolerate any acts of violence. In a statement released on Tuesday by Kolapo Alimi, the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, the governor made the request at a meeting at the State Secretariat with protest organisers, members of civil society organisations, and security personnel.
At the meeting, Adeleke, who was accompanied by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, stated that protest is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution. However, he disapproved of any actions that could jeopardise the state’s and its citizens’ peace and tranquilly.
He asserts that amid the planned protests, our top priority should be maintaining Osun State’s peace and harmony. The vows made by my administration to always make Osun a model state for other Nigerian states are still relevant.
“Therefore, I beg of you to uphold the law before, during, and after the upcoming nationwide protests, as my administration in Osun State will not tolerate any form of violence while you carry out your protests.”
Both Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Abba, and General Officer Commanding, Engineering Construction Regiment, Ede, Brigadier General Abdul Kareem Aliyu, cautioned the demonstrators to behave properly throughout the demonstration in separate remarks they made at the meeting.
The meeting was intended to provide organisers money in an attempt to render the protest ineffective, but Mr. Alimi refuted this claim in his welcome speech, stating that Governor Adeleke wanted to ensure that there would be no brigandage or lawlessness during the planned protests.
