The Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers has called on the citizens, especially youths in the state, to shun the planned nationwide protest and embrace dialogue with the government in the interest of peace and development.
The council chairman and Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro, said this in a statement on Tuesday after the monthly statutory meeting of the council.
According to the traditional rulers, the planned nationwide strike action scheduled to commence August 1 would be an invitation to anarchy and chaos in view of the situations in the country
While acknowledging the rights of the citizens to protest, the council argued that the people, especially youths, should give the government at all levels the needed time to address the list of demands.
The monarchs, however, called on the government “to accelerate policy actions and do everything to further address the current challenges.”
The statement reads, “The Council is deeply concerned about the planned protest and its potential implication on the security of Ekiti State and Nigeria in general.
“The Council recalled with sadness the result of a similar protest that took place in October 2020 and the destruction and carnage that ensued from such a protest.
“While the Council recognised 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.
“We, therefore, appeal to all Ekiti sons and daughters in Ekiti and across Nigeria to shun such a protest and rather engage government at all levels in productive dialogue, especially since most of the issues being demanded cannot be accomplished by fiat.
“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 further address the current challenges.
“The Council appeals to the Ekiti State Government and the security agencies to do everything possible to ensure nothing compromises the current peace and tranquilly of Ekiti State.”
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