As protest rocked major areas of Ibadan in Oyo state, Governor Seyi Makinde, Wednesday, pleaded with residents of the state to demonstrate restraints on the biting hardship over the Naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Addressing the people of the state from Igbojaye, Itesiwaju Local government during his ongoing campaign tour , Gov Makinde said though it was the right of everyone to protest peacefully, they should be wary of hoodlums who might hijack the protests and cause a breakdown of peace and order.
The governor stressed that the situation Nigerians have found themselves in is rather unfortunate, adding that “as good as the Naira redesign policy is, its timing is completely wrong and that the state government has engaged the federal government on the matter.
“Like I said earlier, peaceful protest is the right of everyone but once it becomes violent and violates the peace of other people, it has become something else. And I can say that where the rights of protesters stop is where the right of some others begin”, he said.
The governor added, “Yes, we have found ourselves in a very unfortunate situation but violence will not solve the problem. So, I want to appeal to our people because we don’t want to lose a single soul to this crisis. Palliatives are going in Oyo state and there are few things we have promised to do on this.”
While urging the people of the state not to resort to violence, as the state would not like to lose any soul to the crisis, he tasked residents of the state to rather react with their votes on February 25, 2023, as it is important to stay alive and bring about a change of government than engage in violence that cannot help anyone.
“We all have the opportunity to speak through our votes in 10 days time and it is someone who is alive that will enjoy what the new government will offer the people, So, please, I like to urge the protesters to go back to their various homes.
“Once the protest turns into violence, the security personnel also have the right to protect the lives of other people. It is not as if those that are not protesting are happy about the situation we are faced with, but it is because there are several ways to address whatever issue we are contending with.”
Already, Security Commanders in Oyo state have declared that they would be firm against hoodlums who might try to hijack the peaceful protests by Oyo State residents over the ongoing scarcity of new naira notes.