In a united stance, stakeholders in Odiolowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area have rejected the planned nationwide protest scheduled to start on August 1, 2024.
At a meeting convened by Council Chairman Honourable Razaq Olusola Ajala, attendees were urged to prioritize peace and stability in the area.
The gathering aimed to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining calm and preventing external influences from sparking unrest and chaos in the community.
From clerics: Christians, Muslims and traditional worshipers; youths under the aegis of the National Youth Council of Nigeria; transporters; market men and women; security agents; parents’ forum; the community development committee (CDC); to the staff and management of the council, it was a unanimous decision: no to protest!
First to speak was the Chairman of the council chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Venerable Dr EO Babatunde Durowoju who told the gathering that CAN in Lagos have unanimously said no to protest.
“This is a message from our leader in Lagos State, Reverend Stephen Adegbite. All of us in CAN have decided against any form of protest and we’ve communicated this to our branches and our members,” he said.
His message was echoed by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Aselapa and his counterpart from the traditional religion genre. They both stated that they have warned members of their congregation not engage in any action or utterances that can cause chaos
The Area Commander of Area D police command, Assistant Commissioner of Police Bamidele Awoniyi expressed appreciation to the council boss for organising the parley saying that it has reduced some of the burden of the police.
“We want our people to maintain the peace and ensure that there is no chaos and violence in this area,” he said.
Comrade Okeyale who spoke on behalf of the NYCN, told the gathering that youths in the state have decided to engage in constructive dialogue with government on any issue.
“It’s the same line we are following here in Odiolowo/Ojuwoye. The Chairman of this council is also taking good care of us just as the Governor is taking good care of us at the state level.
“Thus, it’s our unanimous decision not to engage in any protest,” Okeyale said.
The Iyaloja General of the council, Alhaja Mufliat Abimbola Adebunmi; the traditional ruler of Odiolowo, His Royal Majesty Sikiru Williams Apena; the Vice Chairman of the Council, Seyi Jakande; the Leader of the Council Legislative Arm, Honourable Rilwan Ajenifuja; and the representative of Mushin State Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Nureni Akinsanya all spoke with one voice on the need to avoid actions and utterances that lead to violence.
Rounding up the programme with his speech, Honourable Ajala expressed appreciation to the people for answering his calls.
“I also want to say thank you all for speaking unanimously against protest. It’s not that we’re against protest. No! Protest is part of democracy and it’s the constitutional rights of the citizens to protest.
“But experience has shown that this kind of protest has political undertone and designed to cause chaos, mayhem and looting. We should not allow this to happen,” he said.
Honourable Ajala appealed to the people to have patience with the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration noting that the President is working assiduously to make life better for the people.
“It has never happened in the history of Nigeria but the Tinubu administration has started giving students loans for their education and just yesterday, the new minimum wage was signed into law by the President. We’re getting there and soon we’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he assured.
Honourable Ajala reminded the gathering of what happened during the EndSARS protests noting how a legitimate protest over alleged police brutality was hijacked by fifth columnists and turned it into a political tool to settle political scores.
“The destruction unleashed on Lagos during that period is still reverberating. But remember, we bear the brunt of the destruction, you and I because the money used in purchasing most of the items and materials is the taxes we pay,” he said.
Ajala assured the people that he would not relent in putting smiles on their faces.
