Security stakeholders in Oyo State have urged those planning to participate in the protest starting on Aug. 1 to ensure that the demonstrations are peaceful and orderly, as the state will not condone lawlessness.
The stakeholders made the call at a security stakeholders’ meeting held at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan.
Addressing the meeting, the Special Adviser on Security to Oyo State Governor, retired CP Fatai Owoseni, said the meeting was convened to prepare for the planned protest and also engage different interest groups.
He noted that though the Oyo State Government will not prevent anyone from protesting, as it is their fundamental human right under the law, it will not condone violence and disorderliness during the protest.
“We have recognised that in Oyo State, we don’t always want our business activities hindered. We always want a situation where our people will go about their lawful activities freely.
“We have not come here to say people should not exercise their fundamental right but, as a people, even though you have a right, there should be limitations.
“Your right of protesting legally should not hinder other people who also have their rights to go about their lawful endeavours.
“So, we have come to prepare the minds of our people to the fact that they need to help us talk to their wards at home that no one is stopping anyone from protesting but they should not trample on the rights of the people of the state,” he said.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Oyo State Chapter, Sikiru Sanda, tasked all chairmen to intensify efforts to ensure the maintenance of peace and order within their respective council areas.
Also speaking, Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Sonubi Ayodele, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Akin Adejobi, assured protesters of maximum security as long as the protest is peaceful.
Similarly, Oyo State Director, Department of State Security, Mr Tajudeen Adeogun, advised youths, especially students, not to allow anyone to use them for unlawful acts or violence.
In their separate messages, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security, retired CP Sunday Odukoya; Commandant, Oyo State Security Network Agency also known as Amotekun, retired Col. Olayinka Olayanju and the Babaloja-General of Oyo State, Alhaji Y.K. Abass, appealed to protesters to do things in the interest of Oyo State.
The meeting also had in attendance all heads of security outfits and representatives of service commanders in the state.
