Group Fingers Ondo Deputy Governor In PDP Youth Protest As Police Says Presence Meant To Forestall Anarchy

By Ayodele Oni

A Group, Ondo Masses Solidarity Movement (MSM) has accused the embattled Deputy Governor of the State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, of being behind the protest by youth forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The group said the protest was meant to incite crisis in the state and derail the impeachment process of the deputy governor.

The allegation by the group is coming just as the state police command defended presence of officers and men at the state PDP Secretariat to abort the protest.

MSM in a statement signed by its coordinator, Ogunyemi Jeremiah said Aiyedatiwa had been reaching out to opposition parties and youths to occupy the street of Akure and protest against the governor.

“We have it on good authority that the deputy governor instigated the protest and had already sponsored some youths to join the protest. A meeting was held at a hotel in Akure  last night where money was shared among the youths.

“As stakeholders in this state and voice of the masses, we condemn in strong terms, the activities of the embattled deputy governor. We are astonished by the actions of the deputy governor and his resolve to set the state on fire.

“We appreciate the security agencies for rising up to the occasion. We are aware that the protest would have led to wanton destruction of properties and people’s lives.

“Part of the plans which was foiled by the security agencies was that the protesters would set a petrol- filled tanker on fire within the state capital. They had also planned to raze down the House of Assembly complex.

“The planned protest was never in the interest of the masses. The masses are receiving their palliative and also enjoying their thriving sales due to the regular payment of salaries and leave bonus in the state.

“We are calling on well meaning Nigerians and people of the state to warn the deputy governor to desist from these attempts to set our dear state on fire. We should learn from history and guide against any act that will bring our state to jeopardy.

“Where were these people when the masses needed a voice? Where were they when we were faced with insecurity and became helpless even in our own homes. Where were they when Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was facing the federal government and speaking for the people of Southwest and Southern Nigeria.

“We are convinced that this induced protest is not in the interest of the masses. We will not fold our arms and allow a group of people who were motivated by few cash to interrupt the relative peace in the state.

Police command spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya explained that “This morning, policemen actually sent some of its personnel to the place to maintain law and orders.

“On Friday we got a kind of unanimous letter stating that some people want to protest and the letter came in without letter-head, no details of those that wanted to embark on the protest and for the safety of the party involved we just felt to mobilize our men to maintain law and orders in case of any thing.

“Because we don’t want a situation whereby people will just take themselves to the streets and at the end of the day people will deny that they are not the one.

“One man, Akintayo Oluyi signed the letter and from our background check, we are not sure either he is the actually the Chairman of the youth wing of the party.”