The Executive Chairman of Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo state, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, yesterday convened a crucial meeting with key security stakeholders to address concerns surrounding the planned protest against bad governance across Nigeria.
The meeting, which held at the Council Secretariat, Idi-Ayunre, Ibadan, on Tuesday, July 30 aimed to deepen sensitization and awareness on the dangers of a violent protest in the area.
Olatunji also disclosed that the meeting also aimed to reinforce public order and ensure that the upcoming demonstration does not escalate into violence or disrupt public peace.
While acknowledging prevailing economic hardship in the country occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy and the dwindling value of the naira against the dollar Olatunji maintained that Governor Seyi Makinde has performed exceptionally well amidst the challenges and highlighted the impacts of the state government’s Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) on grassroots economy in Oyo state.
He explained that youths of the state especially in Oluyole must refuse to join what he described as a bandwagon trend stressing that violence and disruption of public peace and orderliness could not be an alternative to civil engagements with government using democratic means in any civilized society assuring that the Makinde led government has done and still doing so much to make life better for all residents of the state while reassuring that Oluyole LG has already commenced grassroots domestication of the governor’s economic development agenda in the Council area.
Present at the meeting were the Vice Chairman and Political Head of Akorede LCDA Hon. Adeniyi Akorede, the Special Assistant on Arewa Matters to the Governor of Oyo state, Ahmadu Muritala, Leader of Oluyole Legislative House, Hon. Taofeek Azeez, Chief of Staff to the Council Chairman Hon. Azeez Babalola, LG HLGA Alhaja Naibi, and all ten Councilors, Supervisory Councilors, and Special Assistants (SAs).
Traditional rulers, market and religious leaders in Oluyole present at the meeting were Oba Muritala Oluokun Olumini, the Alayunre of Idi-Ayunre, Oba Yekini Oyelakin Oni, the Latunde of Latunde, some notable chiefs, Babalojas and iyalojas, community leaders and religious leaders as well as leaders of other non state community watch actors such as Kings of Boyz in junctions and Arenas across Oluyole Local Government.
Security representatives present include the DSS, Operation Burst, Nigeria Police, NSDC, Amotekun, OYRTMA, Federal Road Safety, Oluyole branch of Park Management System (PMS), and all 12 local Security groups which include OPC Fasheun, OPC Gani Adams, Vigilante Group, Irorun Ọmọ Odua (IROD), and Agbekoya, among others.
In his address, Olatunji stated that the meeting was a proactive measure to forestall any unpleasant eventuality from the protest while deepening collaborative strategy among security agencies, local leaders, and leaders of youth groups in the council area.
“The primary objective of this security stakeholders meeting was to establish clear sensitize members of the public on the dangers associated with violent protest and the need to shun any form of violence during the demonstration, ensure that protesters remain peaceful and orderly in exercising their rights by respecting the rights of other members of the general public especially those non participants going about their lawful businesses.
Citing the experience recorded during the EndSARS protest of 2020, Olatunji emphasized the importance of maintaining tranquility in the community, urging all parties involved to adhere strictly to legal frameworks governing protests and to work closely with law enforcement agencies to mitigate potential risks.
Security stakeholders, including the police, local vigilante groups, and other relevant bodies, expressed their commitments to providing adequate security to manage the planned protest effectively.
Other stakeholders in their separate remarks harp on the need for restraint amidst the growing tension stressing that the aftermath of any violent protest is usually left for residents and members of the community and areas affected to bear the consequences. They however, assured that the resolution of non violent protest would be taken down to every nooks and crannies of Oluyole.