Patron of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Solidarity Vanguard and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Olusegun Osinkolu, has disclosed that the shunning of the nationwide protest by Ekiti youths further confirmed how excellent Governor Biodun Oyebanji was in terms of delivery and performance.
Osinkolu commended the Ekiti youths for embracing the olive branch spread to them by Governor Oyebanji and decided to opt for dialogue, saying the nation will profit nothing from rioting and wanton destruction of property.
The APC chieftain, said though the economic situation of the country might be tough and painful, reminding that this shouldn’t be a pedestal for youths to engage in activities that could stoke unnecessary disorderliness that can further exacerbate the crises.
Osinkolu said these in a statement issued and made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti, on Sunday, espousing his views on the ongoing nationwide protests embarked on by some coalition of youths.
The APC chieftain, who was enthralled by the way Ekiti youths demonstrated patriotism and refrained from participating in the protest, said such feat was accomplished owing to captivating leadership being offered by Governor Oyebanji in the last two years.
Osinkolu commended the governor for placing priority on human capital development by ways of job provision and empowerments for the youths, describing this as the magic wand that saved Ekiti from conflagration.
“If you look at what is happening in some states where billion of Naira worth of property had been destroyed in the last four days, one will realise that Governor Biodun Oyebanji and our intellectually sophisticated youths in Ekiti deserve commendations. They have really done well.
“This buttressed the fact that good governance remains the fortress of democracy. Governor Oyebanji has showed commitment to job Creation for our youths. As of last count, about 3,500 youths had been employed into the civil service, while over 20,000 were engaged in the informal sector, like farming and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
“The commitment shown by Governor Oyebanji to Job Creation and Youth Employment as contained in his policy thrust, where Job Creation was captured as a whole pillar saved us from protest that has now snowballed into riot, vandalism, arson and deaths in some states.
“We knew the quantum of resources Ekiti lost during the Endsars protest where property of government and individuals were either destroyed or looted. So, youths not participating in this protest has done a great deal of help and service to our dear state”.
While not faulting the propriety of the protest, Osinkolu warned about the potential dangers that could accompany a nationwide unrest, which he said had started rearing its ugly heads since the first day of the protest.
“We know things are very tough, but rioting is not going to be a solution. We know the kind of politics we play, some people might hide under this to destroy our nation.
“I appeal to the coalition of youth groups to embrace dialogue since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he was ready to initiate a robust engagement with them”.