Protest: Governorship Candidate Arrested In Ondo

By Ayodele Oni

As the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest enters it 10th day Saturday, some youths in Ondo State who came out in Akure, the State Capital, to join the protest were rounded up by Security Operatives.

The arrested protesters included the Governorship Candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) in the forthcoming November 16, 2024 Election in the state, Kunle Ajayi.

AAC is the political party of one of the protest organizers, Omoyele Sowore.

An eyewitness disclosed that the protesters who converged at the popular NEPA roundabout, were dispersed by the security agents, but they refused to leave the venue.

According to one of the protesters, Tope Temokun, who condemned the arrest of nine protesters, there was no evidence of violence to warrant the arrest of the protesters.

“The resort to arrest of peaceful protesters by men of the Nigeria police in Akure today is unnecessary, dissipation of energy and uncalled for.

“Particularly regarding the manner in which the protesters have coordinated their protest and what engagement transpired between the protesters and the police before the arrest.

“As at yesterday a letter was submitted by the leadership of “Take It Back movement” to the Nigeria Police in Akure, notifying the police of today’s protest and inviting the police for protection.

“As the protesters were heading there peacefully, they were ambushed by the arresting team of the Nigerian Police who were acting on orders from above and arrested the youths.

“This style of engaging citizens with deceits in civic engagement will not only lead to further loss of total trust and confidence in the police, it is very disgraceful and smacks of playing to gallery to win empty accolade from the government.

“The arrest that took place is highly condemnable and stands condemned. If the government has any evidence of violence from the protesters it should come out with it.”