Makinde hinges planned protest on anger, hunger
• Adeleke to dialogue with organisers today
• Tertiary students’ leaders shelve August 1 protest
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said widespread anger and hunger across the country could be responsible for the planned protest. Makinde said this while speaking at the grand finale of the 2024 Ibadan Cultural Week, organised by Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).
Recall that August 1 has been fixed as the day for a nationwide protest against hunger across the country. Makinde stressed that people have the right to protest but cautioned that such movements should be done in a peaceful and not destructive manner.
“Yes, protest is everybody’s right. But remember that we used your money to build all the structures and facilities we have put in place in this state, not mine. So, if you want to protest, it must be peaceful.
“If you begin your protest, don’t destroy government properties, otherwise, we will have to use the money we are supposed to spend on meaningful projects to replace facilities that may get destroyed.”
Against the backdrop of the planned August 1 protests to denounce the economic hardship in the country, Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has concluded arrangements to hold talks with the organisers of the civil demonstration. The meeting is to be held today (Monday) alongside other stakeholders, including security agencies and Civil Societies Organizations (CSOs).
Adeleke, in his directive contained in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Sunday, disclosed that his team members will reach out to representatives of various civil society groups and student bodies for a dialogue session on governance in the country, especially in Osun.
While emphasising the imperative of the dialogue in state governance, the governor requested key commanders of Police and other security services to attend the session where stakeholders will be free to make recommendations on grievances and expected responses from the government at all levels.
MEANWHILE, the umbrella bodies of students of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria have postponed the planned protest slated for August 1, imploring all students of tertiary institutions to stay away from the protest.
In a joint communique signed by the leadership of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) and National Association of Nigeria Colleges of Education Students (NANCES), the student leaders said they arrived at the position after marathon consultations with stakeholders, government officials and well-meaning Nigerians following intelligence that the planned protest could be hijacked.
They stated that the protest is being shelved though they have concluded arrangements to hold it because of the likely negative consequences and fallout due to it being hijacked.
The communique which was jointly signed by President, NAUS, Obaji Marshal; President, NAPS, Rilwanu Munirudeen and President, NANCES, Eegunjobi Oluwaseun as well as the senate presidents of the respective associations, stated: “I bring greetings to all university, polytechnic and colleges of education students studying in various disciplines across the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), re-emphasising the commitment of our administration towards securing the best and most beneficial ends for us all, till our last day in office.
“You will recall that a few days ago, the joint national leadership informed the public of our decision to embark on an organised protest and peaceful demonstration aimed at drawing the attention of the government to the economic hardship and high/rising cost of living in the country, which is most felt by students and youths of the country.
“However, the joint national leadership has been inundated with calls which have led to marathon consultations with stakeholders, government officials and well-meaning Nigerians on the issue of our proposed protest action. It will also interest you to know that these consultations have offered assurances of quick action to the demands made.
“Similarly, the joint leadership takes into cognizance of the fact that there is a planned national protest in August, and with the concerns expressed by security agencies from consultations, it will be dangerous leading a protest in a critical moment like this, as it can be hijacked and since the joint leadership is the only known body protesting all damages might fall on us, the national joint leadership hereby postpones its planned protest.
“This postponement also comes with a dissociation of the associations with the 10-day protest being organised with a call for all the tertiary institution students to stay away from the protest.
“For emphasis, the joint leadership calls off its protest, and postpones it till further notice, while engagements and consultations would continue with the government, stakeholders and the association.”
The various leaders reassured all Nigerian tertiary institution students of their commitment to the welfare and good educational standards, calling for their continued trust and cooperation.
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