A Coalition of Civil Societies Organisation in Osun State, the Osun Masterminds, has condemned the threat by security agencies against protesters across the country.
According to the Executive Director of the organisation, Prof Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli at the July edition of the state of the state address on Saturday in Osogbo, the citizens have a right to protest.
Oyedokun-Alli said, “We strongly hold that the right to protest is that of every citizens of this country and no one should attempt to subdue people’s voices whenever they chose to cry out about how they are been governed or misgoverned.
“The state of affairs in Nigeria is truly worrisome and people have a right to voice their disapproval as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for freedom of association, gathering, and speech.
“We condemn threats by security agencies, groups, and political office holders against any form of protest. Our democracy as presently enjoyed, was borne out of agitations, therefore, if there is any component of democracy that is germane, it is that of freedom.
“At a time that we have not fully recovered from the woes of the EndSars, the looting, maiming and destruction of lives and public facilities that were and still being replaced by our common patrimony or lost forever, we CAN’T afford to have a repeat of such as a nation and that is why the note of caution is been sounded to the ears of particularly the youths, than an uncoordinated protest or one that is without leadership is a very dangerous”.
The Group also cautioned that the protest should be conducted peacefully and no form of infiltration must be allowed.
“We caution that the protest be conducted peacefully, and no form of infiltration must be allowed by hoodlums and those whose intentions are not patriotic.
” We already are having a shortage in critical infrastructure in the country, and we can not afford to by ourselves destroy the very few functional national assets, in the name of showing grievances against the government”, the group added.
While advising the government to be more proactive and engage the citizens more by being accountable, transparent, and showing empathy in their dealings and demand from the system that accommodate their representation and leadership.
In the same vein, the group condemned the appointment of Adekunle Omoyele as the new Corps commander of Amotekun, citing that he wasn’t security fit.
“Omoyele didn’t retire from the police force, he was forced to retire because of his reputation, his case is still in court, and we are sure that the State Government is fully aware of this records, he was appointed before this as the special advoserto the Governor on external security and how do you expect the residents of osun to be safe in the hands of the man with records of arson and other crimes.
“Appointing him as the commander of Amotekun is saying that people of the State should be afraid of their lives.
” The state government should review his appointment as the commander of Amotekun” the group explained.
However, the Group commended the State Government on the ongoing construction while appealing for a timely completion.
“We charge the State Government and the contractor handling the work to as a matter of urgency create clear alternative routes in critical areas of the and also ensure that such is motorable and not in despicable state ” they concluded.
