Don’t allow non-state actors destroy Nigeria, Yoruba monarchs warn protesters

Yoruba Obas Forum, a group comprising of monarchs from South West and North Central geo-political zones of Nigeria, has warned those planning to exploit the proposed national hunger protest to cause chaos in the country to perish the thought.

The royal fathers made their stand known in a statement obtained in Osogbo, Osun State capital,on Tuesday.

The statement was jointly signed by its National President, who is the Molokun of Atijere, Oba Samuel Adeoye, Oba Michael Ajayi, who is the Elerinmo of Erinmo, and the Public Relations Officer of the Forum, the Alayandelu of Odo Alayandelu, Oba Asunmo Aderibigbe.

The forum members said, as traditional rulers, they felt the pains and frustration being faced by many Nigerians at the moment, but suggested that the situation demands a strategic approach, noting that dialogue remains the best option.

“Protest has never been a solution for nations to solve their challenges, but rather an avenue for the destruction of human lives and properties.

“We, Yoruba Obas Forum, acknowledge the role of protests in democracy and that is why we are warning against those who might exploit these events for malicious purposes as certain groups are looking to use this protest to incite violence and crime. Please, don’t let non-state actors disrupt the already existing peace and stability of our land, please be cautioned.

“While protest is your democratic right, please consider the broader implications on our national stability and progress as dialogue, round table conference and collaboration are far more effective solutions and antidote.

“We Yoruba Obas again, implore all our youths not to follow the part of anarchy, or destruction, we too are also aware that there is hunger, insecurity and unemployment in the land. But the signals out there clearly indicate that another nationwide protest will definitely plunge this nation into more economic mess and insecurity. As your fathers, we earnestly appeal to you all to shelve the planned protest in the interest of our dear nation,” the statement partly read.

The Forum also warned that since Nigeria may not be able to afford another unrest considering the current state of the economy, people should draw solace in the fact that the relatively young administration of President Bola Tinubu was working hard to improve the standard of living of the common man.