The Osun State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has warned protesters against allowing hoodlums to hijack the nationwide protest scheduled to begin today, August 1st.
While IPAC in a statement signed by the chairman, Pastor Victor Akande in Osogbo acknowledged the right of Nigerians to protest and express their grievances, it urged protesters to exercise their right with caution.
They equally warned them not to allow disgruntled politicians to use them as tools of vendetta against individuals, political officeholders, and the government of the day.
Osun IPAC also enjoined the state government not to see or use the protest as an avenue to deal negatively with any individual or group but rather yield to the people’s requests about the nation’s economic situation.
They charged various law enforcement agencies to carry out their legitimate duty of protecting the lives and property of the citizens with all sense of responsibility, decency, and professionalism adding that they should not carry out their duty in any manner that may provoke the protestants and cause chaos in the state.
“We are not oblivious to the sad incidents that trailed some protest in the past and the fear that has gripped the mind of many citizens as a result of the sad experiences of the past protest especially the last #ENDSARS, notwithstanding, we will not throw a baby with bath water”.
“We, Osun State IPAC, under the leadership of Pastor Victor Akande, do not want anybody to get hurt, arrested, or caught up in negative activities during this protest.
“Therefore, it is our candid advice for all those individuals and groups that will be involved in the proposed protest scheduled to begin on the 1st of August 2024 to 10th of August 2024, not to allow hoodlums, thugs, thieves etc to hijack their peaceful protest from them thereby leading to looting and destruction of government or citizens properties,” Akande said.
