The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Southwest, market men and women, the Park Management System, and other critical stakeholders in Oyo State have opted out of the mass protest scheduled to commence nationwide on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
This decision was made at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the State Police Command, led by CP Ayodele Sonubi, in Ibadan on Monday.
The affected groups argued that any attempt to embark on a mass protest at this time would be counterproductive.
The Southwest Coordinator of NANS, John Alao, stated that members of the Union are not prepared to participate in any protest that would further extend their time on their respective campuses.
He said, “The national body of the Union has directed that no member should partake in any protest. We are not ready to flout these directives. We know what we have suffered in the past in the name of protest, and we do not want a repeat of that scenario.”
In the same vein, the Senior Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Student Affairs, Victor Oloyede, mentioned that he has been engaging with various student unions and youth groups in meaningful dialogue to discourage participation in the protest.
“I can assure this gathering that students in the state will not participate in the protest,” he said.
Additionally, the Babaloja General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekeen Abass, stated that traders in the state will not be involved in the protest.
“We have instructed our members across the 33 local government areas not to participate in any protest. Although we are not shutting down our markets, we have advised our members to remain vigilant and watchful.”
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Royal Majesty Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who was represented by the President of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, urged the protesters to operate within the bounds of the law.
He also called on the government and those in authority to alleviate the burden on the people by addressing the issue of hunger.
The convener of the meeting and Oyo Commissioner of Police Ayodele Sonubi urged the organizers of the planned protest on August 1 to submit their details and movements to the command to facilitate the police in carrying out their constitutional duties effectively.
CP Sonubi emphasized that while citizens have the right to protest, it must be conducted lawfully.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Kayode Martins, and the State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Bosun Olabiyi, disclosed that they will not participate in the planned protest, as they have not been duly informed. They also urged the Nigerian government to address the hardships faced by the people.
