Protest: Adeleke urges CSOs, others to ensure violence-free demonstrations
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called on members of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other stakeholders participating in the nationwide protests to refrain from actions that could jeopardize the state’s stability.
Acknowledging the inalienable right of Nigerian citizens to engage in peaceful protests, as guaranteed by the Constitution, Adeleke expressed concern over actions that could disturb the peace and tranquility of Osun State.
The Governor, represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, alongside members of the Osun State Executive Council, held a comprehensive citizen engagement dialogue with CSOs and various groups at the Finance Building, State Secretariat, Abeere.
During the two-hour dialogue, Adeleke emphasized that the well-being and unity of Osun State residents should be a top priority for all stakeholders involved.
“My administration is committed to making Osun a reference point for other states in Nigeria,” Adeleke stated. “I implore you to be law-abiding before, during, and after the upcoming nationwide protests. No act of violence will be tolerated by my administration during these protests.”
“In Osun, we are known to be good and peaceful. This should remain our pride as a state that is always ahead of others in all things good and developmental.”
Earlier, Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Abba, and General Officer Commanding, Engineering Construction Regiment, Ede, Brigadier General Abdul Kareem Aliyu, jointly appealed to protesters to maintain decorum while demonstrating in Osun State.
Aliyu, highlighting that Osun is arguably the most peaceful state in Nigeria, advised protesters not to compromise the state’s good reputation by engaging in violent protests.
Similarly, all the service chiefs—including representatives from the Nigeria Police, Army, DSS, Immigration, Correctional Centre, Civil Defence, Air Force, and Road Safety—unanimously stressed that any tendency toward hooliganism and lawlessness would not be tolerated, and anyone caught would face the full wrath of the law.
Members of the CSOs and other NGOs, in their remarks, commended the Governor for providing a platform for dialogue ahead of the nationwide protests set to begin on Thursday. They endorsed the need to abide by the agreements reached at the meeting, which centered on achieving violence-free protests in the state.
In his welcome address, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, dismissed allegations that the Governor called the meeting to bribe CSOs and activists to dissuade them from effective protesting as baseless and mischievous. He commended the CSO members and other activists for their large turnout.
