The Ekiti state government and the police command in the state have called on the youths and other stakeholders to shelve the planned nationwide protest and embrace dialogue.
They spoke on Monday at a stakeholders meeting organized by the commissioner of police, Adeniran Akinwale in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital ahead of the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1st.
The meeting was attended by traditional rulers, state and local government officials, religious leaders, artisans, road transport workers, youths, students , among others.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Security Matters, Brigadier General Ebenezer Ogundana (retd) who represented Governor, Biodun Oyebanji at the event, appealed to the youths to shun the protest and embrace peace in the interest of the state.
The governor’s aide noted that the administration of Oyebanji acknowledged the economic challenges in the country but explained that the federal and state governments are doing everything possible to address the situation.
Ogundana while calling on the stakeholders to give the government more time in implementing its policies and programmes, expressed worry that the protest might be hijacked by criminal elements to unleash violence on the state.
On his part, the commissioner of police said the meeting became necessary to engage the stakeholders and take feedback to the appropriate authorities for action.
Akinwale maintained that embracing dialogue by the aggrieved youths and citizens would be in the interest of the state and the country, noting that violent protest would be detrimental to the society.
The CP, however stated that the command would deploy all necessary measures towards preventing breakdown of law and order in the event that the protest holds in the state.
Some of the stakeholders who spoke at the meeting advised government to listen to the plights of the citizens and put out necessary measures at addressing the rising inflation especially on food items.
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