Protest is Constitutional, Attack on Governor Oyetola Condemnable – Ex-Lawmaker

Special Adviser to Governor Gboyega Oyetola on Civic Engagement, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has reiterated Osun State government commitment to protecting fundamental human right of the citizens and will not for any reason, infringe on the inalienable rights of the people, especially the youths to go about peaceful demonstration as enshrined in the constitution.

Hon. Oyintiloye was speaking while featuring on a Yoruba programme tagged “Koleda” aired on the State Broadcasting Cooperation.

The immediate past lawmaker representing Obokun State constituency emphasized that Governor Oyetola is a leader with fat democratic credentials who would not trample upon the liberty, freedom, and pursuit of goals by well meaning citizens of the state.

“The right to protest and peaceful demonstration is an integral component of a democracy through which civil rule is sustained and this is the profound tenet of Oyetola’s administration”, he stated.

While remarking on the issue of #EndSARS protest in the state, he noted that the demonstration by the protesting youths is justifiable within the ambit of law and the state government had identified with the youths in the cause.

“As contained in the state broadcast, Oyetola’s administration had identified with the protesting youths from Day One of the demonstration with the tenet that it’s a legitimate cause as Senior Government officials joined and addressed the protesters at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park and the main Entrance of the State Secretariat, Abere on the first two days respectively.

“As a responsible leader, Governor Oyetola upon his return to the state from an official assignment, equally made it a first point of duty to join the protesters in solidarity against the alleged brutality of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) until some political gangsters and hoodlums made failed attempts on his life and aides.

“As a way of demystifying the rumours making round, no live was lost during the attack on Governor Oyetola’s convoy as the reported loss of two lives happened outside the scene. One of said death case which was caused by a lone motorcycle accident occurred around 12noon, long before Mr. Governor got to the protest area and the second happened at Ayepe area which was about five kilometres away from Olaiya where the protest was held.

It must be note that while section 40 of Nigerian constitution espouses the right to assemble freely and associate with others for the protection of one’s interest in a manner like protest, there are consequent limitations to every right such as protest which is hinged on violence, gangsterism, vandalism among other dastardly acts and this behooves on the protesting youths to be weary of unscrupulous principalities of evil who could malign their peaceful demonstration with their wild behavior”, he added.

Meanwhile, Oyintiloye described Osun youths as peace loving and supportive to the government which is why Osun is ranked among the most peaceful and secure states in the country, accentuating further that the attack which occurred on Saturday was not carried out by the genuine protesters but the unruly gangsters who infiltrated their ranks with a view to hijacking the peaceful cause to achieve their premeditated sinister mission.

He however, commiserated with the family of the deceased and those affected by the vandalization done on some valuable property during the ill-willed rage of the hoodlums.

He then reiterated that the state government will do everything within the purview of the law to protect lives and property so as to sustain the peaceful aura the state currently enjoys while inundating the parents and youths in continue lending their supports to the government for the benefits of all.

Oyintiloye equally reassured the people of the state that the government will continue to act in their best interests in a bid to build a sustainable commonwealth.