By Ayodele Abere
The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe has appealed to his subjects, residents and other stakeholders in Ado metropolis and Ekiti State in general to consider national interest and avoid being part of the planned nationwide protest.
The monarch gave the admonition at a peace meeting he held with the groups at his palace to acquaint them with the development and the need to toe the path of peace.
He described the planned protest as a national issue that prompted him to summon the meeting based on information that there is going to be a national protest from tomorrow, August 1,2024 and the need to talk to the people.
The royal father remarked that the constitution allows people to take to the streets in a peaceful manner. In other words in a peaceful protest. But many protests have not been peaceful, particularly the Endsars.
According to him, the organizers of Endsars meant well, that in the first few days people commended their efforts, to the extent that religious leaders were in support of them and even provided food vendors for them.
He said unfortunately what everybody thought was going to be a peaceful protest was along the line hijacked by hoodlums. “You know what happened thereafter. Destruction of property, innocent people killed and some people rendered homeless.
Oba Adejugbe appealed to the people to allow peace to reign, adding that taking to the streets this time around could be an ill-wind that blows no one any good. He explained that from the discussion people realized that it is not the best now to take to the streets. And they will go home and discuss with their subjects and their people in various communities so that they will allow a peaceful atmosphere.
The first-class traditional ruler noted that everybody understands the mood of the nation for now. “Yes we understand there is hunger in the land. There’s no doubt about it, but taking to the streets in riotous atmosphere cannot put food on the table. And that’s why we have to come to round table and discuss the situation”.
He sued for patience as the government means well for its people, citing the issue of wages for the workers from #30,000 to #70,000. And efforts to look into the high cost of food in the country. “And again the current government is less than two years now, or a little above one year and people know that it takes time for anybody to correct those abnormalities”.
One of the representatives of the security agencies, an Assistant Commissioner of Police and Area Commander of Ado-Ekiti, Abayomi Agbare gave an assurance that the officers and men of the command will do their best to checkmate the situation.
He said nobody enjoys a war situation that will even worsen if hijacked by hoodlums. The Area Commander appealed to representatives of the various groups to take the outcome of the meeting to their people.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the various ethnic groups, transport workers’ unions, traders, artisans, okada riders, religious leaders, security agents and others.
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