Ahead of the planned national protest against bad governance in Nigeria, the Osun State government, security agencies and organizers of the protest have agreed to work together on the movement.
The agreement was reached on Monday at a meeting presided over by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi.
No fewer than 200 youth stakeholders from the state and all heads of security agencies were present at the dialogue that lasted for about three hours.
Adewusi said the government will not gag the protesters and will provide technical support to ensure things do not out of hands.
“Bringing you here is to ensure we dialogue on how to protect our state. I want to commend you for showing up here. The protest in Osun State must be peaceful and should not lead to wanton destruction.
“I therefore implore you to be law abiding before ,during and after the coming nationwide protests, as no act of violence of any kind would be entertained by my administration in Osun State while carrying out your protests.
“The government will like the organisers to meet with the Commissioner of Police after this meeting to discuss the route and exchange means of communication so that all of us will be on the same page. The Government of Senator Ademola Adeleke is friendly and will not want to violate anybody’s rights.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi thanked the youths for attending the meeting, stating that the dialogue was aimed at ensuring the protest is peaceful.
“The meeting is to ensure that the protest is peaceful and nothing else. Protest is a constitutional right and no one will gag you. We don’t want destruction of properties as experienced during EndSARS protest here in Osun.” He said.
Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner of Police, Abba Mohammed said the police command is ready to work with the organisers and protesters during the period.
“We’re not aversed to peaceful protest. The police acknowledge and recognize the right of Nigerians to peaceful protest. We want it to be in a very peaceful manner.”
The police boss promised that his men will be of good conduct during the protest.
Youths and CSO representatives took turns to express their opinions about the protest with many of them warning the government appointees not to interfere in the processes as did during the EndSARS protest.
“We want to tell the government appointees to ensure they don’t infiltrate the protesters. We want to call on security agencies to beam searchlights on the suspended Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Civil Society (Oluwaseun Adebisi). He has street boys that he can bring to infiltrate the protesters.” One of the youth representatives, Musa Akinkunmi said.
