Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has attributed the planned nationwide protest on August 1 to the widespread anger and hunger experienced across Nigeria. Speaking at the grand finale of the 2024 Ibadan Cultural Week, organized by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Makinde highlighted the frustrations driving citizens to the streets.
Key
Points from Governor Makinde’s Address
Makinde
made these remarks at the event held on Saturday at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium
in Ibadan, the state capital. He emphasized the constitutional right of
Nigerians to protest, urging them to exercise this right peacefully and
responsibly.
- Cause
of Protest: The governor acknowledged that the
economic hardship and widespread hunger are the primary reasons behind the
planned protest.
- Right
to Protest: He reaffirmed that protesting is a
fundamental right of the people, stressing the importance of maintaining
peace and order during demonstrations.
- Protection
of Public Property: Makinde advised
protesters to avoid damaging government property. He reminded them that
public funds, contributed by citizens, were used to build these
infrastructures.
Makinde's
Appeal for Peaceful Demonstrations
Governor
Makinde stressed the importance of peaceful protests, cautioning against the
destruction of public facilities. He pointed out that any damage to government
property would divert funds from meaningful projects to repairs and
replacements.
"Nigeria
could be in this situation for now. We could be experiencing anger and hunger
in the land and that is why our people want to protest. 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."
Upcoming
Nationwide Protest
The
nationwide protest scheduled for August 1 aims to address the issues of hunger
and economic hardship affecting millions of Nigerians. The call for peaceful
demonstrations echoes across the nation, as citizens prepare to voice their
grievances in a manner that seeks to uphold public order and safety.
Conclusion
Governor Makinde's appeal underscores the delicate balance between exercising the right to protest and maintaining public infrastructure. As the nation gears up for the August 1 protest, his call for peaceful and responsible demonstrations resonates with the broader need for constructive civic engagement.
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