The Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro, on Tuesday, expressed deep concern about the planned protest set to begin on Thursday and its potential implications for the security of Ekiti State and Nigeria.
The traditional ruler, speaking in a statement after the monthly statutory meeting of the council held on Tuesday, where the monarchs deliberated on important matters of state and national security, among others, described the call for the protest as an invitation to chaos and instability.
Oba Ilori-Faboro recalled with sadness the results of a similar protest that took place in October 2020 and the attendant destruction and carnage.
Consequently, the traditional council chairman appealed to all Ekiti sons and daughters in Ekiti and across Nigeria to “shun such a protest and instead engage the government at all levels in productive dialogue, especially since most of the issues being demanded cannot be accomplished by fiat.”
He said, “The Council took notice of a call for public protest on August 1, 2024, tagged #NationalDayofRage.
“While the Council recognises the right of Nigerians to peaceful protest, it is the view of the Council that a call to protest of this nature is a potential invitation to chaos and instability, as witnessed in 2020.
“Council appeals to the Ekiti State Government and the security agencies to do everything possible to ensure nothing compromises the current peace and tranquillity of Ekiti State.
“While we commend the government for its frantic efforts to resolve the myriad of economic and food challenges facing our country, we appeal to the government at all levels to accelerate policy actions and do everything to address the current challenges,” the traditional ruler stated.
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