Residents stay indoors as youths protest in Ondo

Major streets in Akure, the Ondo State capital have been deserted on Saturday as business activities were paralysed and shops owners and traders stayed indoors for fear of crisis that may arise from the June 12 protest as Nigeria marks Democracy Day.

Our correspondent, who went around, observed that residents stayed indoors while few vehicles were seen on the road.

Youths in their numbers moved around the Sunshine State’s capital in peaceful protest.

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The youths, who stormed major streets as early as 8:00 am, protested against what they described as President Buhari’s insensitivity to killings and insecurity across the country, carrying various placards to express their grievances.

Armed with placards with various inscriptions like: “We are practicing a civilian dictatorship government”, “No to Grandpa’s regime” among others, the youths emphasized that the security situation in the country was now alarming as no one is safe any longer.

As at the time of writing this report, popular Oba Adesida Road, Arakale, Ondo Road, Nepa, Hospital and Oyemekun were still deserted.

Daily Trust gathered that the situation is the same in other major cities in the state as residents deserted all public places including markets and motor parks.

Meanwhile, policemen and heavily-armed soldiers were on patrol to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

Akeredolu calls for unity

On his part, the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, urged the people of the state to refrain from actions and utterances that can hurt the unity of the country.

Akeredolu said the nation could not afford to undermine the huge sacrifices it had made to come this far, having nurtured democracy since the dawn of May 29, 1999, with dedication and commitment to the growth of the nation and development of her people.

In a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Richard Olatunde, the governor said; “we toed a fitful path to today’s democracy.

“Our sacrifices and experiences have proven that this democracy is for the greater good of the people. We must continue, against all odds, to nurture it to perfection.

“Undoubtedly, we have our challenges as a country, which, of course, have put our people on edge recently.

“We must nonetheless understand that the only way to help our hitches is to address it without colouration or sentiment.

“We must not give credence to the calculated acts of divisive elements who are determined to instigate Nigerians against one another. Our unity is our strength. Let us promote Unity, Peace and Love.”

Akeredolu assured of his administration’s commitment to continue to deliver dividends of good governance to the people in the nook and cranny of the state.

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