August 1: We Are Yet To Recover From #EndSARS Protest – Ekiti Gov’t Warns Youth

The Governor of Ekiti State, Abiodun Oyebanji, has issued a caution to residents of the state ahead of the planned nationwide protest scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 1.

Oyebanji urged Nigerians, particularly the people of Ekiti State, to be cautious of those with hidden agendas seeking to cause chaos under the guise of fighting for the common man’s interests.

The governor, who addressed the public in a Special State Broadcast titled ‘Upholding Peace Amidst the Planned Nationwide Protest on August 1st’, emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in the state during the upcoming protest.

He expressed concerns that the protest could escalate into violence, jeopardizing the progress towards prosperity in Ekiti State.

Oyebanji also highlighted the lingering impact of the 2020 #EndSARS protest violence and destruction in the state.

The governor reassured residents to carry on with their daily activities without fear, emphasizing that no one should be hindered, intimidated, or harassed in the name of protests in Ekiti.

Oyebanji said, “On our part, we want to assure our citizens that we are more than resolved to protect our state and to ensure no breakdown of laws and orders.

“The security agencies will be on high alert and will not allow anybody to bloodstain our immaculate name as a peaceful and progressive state.”

The governor appealed to parents and guardians, traditional rulers, and religious leaders “to appeal to the youths not to submit themselves to the evil merchants who want to use them to cause violence in our state as hoodlums can easily hijack protests. No matter how peaceful a protest might seem at the beginning, no one can predict its eventual dynamics and its ending.”

Oyebanji acknowledged that the Constitution granted citizens the right to freedom of expression, including the right to air their views freely.

“It is therefore expected that a protest will be conducted under a peaceful atmosphere without recourse to any violent disturbances to other citizens who also enjoy their inalienable right to unhindered movement and life,” the governor said.

Oyebanji stressed that engaging in violence would be detrimental, especially as efforts are underway to revitalize the economy through various fiscal and monetary strategies that are already demonstrating early signs of success.

He emphasized that a regression from the current progress is not an option we can afford.

“As a people, we cannot also afford another expensive destruction of our economic base as we did in 2020 during the #EndSARS protest that led to the destruction of many private and government infrastructures. Multimillion naira businesses were completely ruined, and the owners destroyed forever.

“Till today, the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency’s store room and other government institutions remain in ruins because of the arson and looting that were visited on the State by retrogressive elements masquerading as protesters.

“Many of our silos which serve as national strategic reservoirs for food and seedlings, were burnt, looted, and vandalised. Government is still struggling with replacing or repairing these infrastructures, even in the face of scarce resources,” the governor noted.