Ekiti state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has appealed to the youths in the state to shelve the planned nationwide protest in the overall interest of the country.
The governor said that the protest would not solve the country’s socio-economic challenges but only worsen the pains of Nigerians and further inflict damage on the country’s economy.
Oyebanji spoke on Monday, July 29, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state capital during a stakeholders meeting organized to brainstorm on the planned nationwide protest starting from August 1.
The governor represented by his special adviser on security, Brigadier General (rtd) Ebenezer Ogundana, called on the youths to embrace dialogue in pressing home their demand, warning the protest could be hijacked by criminal elements to cause mayhem and destabilize the country.
The governor who acknowledged that the country is currently going through challenges, said President Bola Tinubu had taken bold steps in addressing the economic challenges and the attendant hardship.
He urged Nigerians to exercise patience and give President Tinubu more time to implement his developmental blueprint towards making the renewed hope agenda a reality.
On his part, the Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Adewale, said that the meeting became necessary to engage relevant stakeholders and take feedback to the appropriate authorities for action.
Akinwale urged all the groups planning to protest in the state to come forward and give necessary details, saying this was necessary to ensure that the protest was peaceful.
Meanwhile, a group under the auspices of Nigerian Youth for Democracy (NYD), has advised Nigerian youths to explore dialogue instead of staging protests that can grind the economy to a halt.
The group’s national coordinator and former special assistant on youth and student Affairs in the state, Comrade Moses Ademiloye said past protests had resulted in arson attacks and violence on perceived political opponents.
Ademiloye added that any protest of national dimension has a high proclivity of causing economic disruptions, forcing businesses to close down, properties damaged, and public resources strained, which he warned can lead to job losses and exacerbate economic hardship for many Nigerians, particularly the struggling youths.
He said: “While protest is a form of expression, it should not replace constructive dialogue and democratic processes. Engaging in protests without exhausting other means of communication and negotiation can undermine the very democratic principles we seek to uphold.
“In light of these potential consequences, I urge all Nigerian youths to consider alternative, constructive means of effecting change. Let us engage with policymakers, community leaders, and stakeholders through dialogue. Present well-researched, viable solutions to the issues at hand. Constructive engagement can lead to meaningful changes without the risks associated with protests”, he added.
@The Nation News
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