Count Us Out Of Protests, Osun NNPP Youth Leader Tells Organisers

The Youth Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), in Osun State, Hon. Taiwo Olanrewaju, has declared that he is not involved in the planning or execution of the August 1-10 #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests in the state.

In a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Wednesday, Hon. Olanrewaju noted that he did not convene or lead any organisation, movement or group aiming to protest against the economic hardship facing the country.

The NNPP State Youth Leader also added that neither him nor his political party is interested in the planned demonstrations, as he believes in constructive engagement of those in positions of authority than disrupting the peace of the society.

He also warned the Youths against using protests to demand for the forceful removal of any government as democracy guarantees the exercise of franchise to elect or remove any political office holder from office.

Olanrewaju said, “I am not involved in or leading any protests starting from tomorrow. I learnt from reliable quarters that some people have penned my name down with security agents as one of those leading the #EndBadGovernance protests in Osun.

“I wish to state that I am not involved in any protests. It is true that I attended the meeting convened by the state government and Youth stakeholders in the state on Monday in my capacity as a Youth leader of a leading political party in the country. However, I am not going to be leading anyone to protest.

“I have always believed in the democratic rules of engagement with political leaders. As young Nigerians, the right to protest is a given, but must be done with caution. We must not allow ourselves to be used as a tool for creating enmity and violence among ourselves and our people. I urge everyone who will go ahead to protest to do so with caution and be very peaceful.

“Protest is not the solution to the current economic problem. I am quite aware that the government has heard the cries of Nigerians on the hardship. Let us begin to ask them questions. It is better than going on the streets to call them names. Whether we like it or not, the offices they are holding is constitutional and their term has to expire before they leave. So, we should be patient.

“We must remind ourselves that Osun is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria. We must look in this direction and not cause any violence. The PDP government under Governor Ademola Adeleke has tried its best to maintain the peace in the state and we should avoid anything that will truncate it.

“President Bola Tinubu is working hard and has shown that he is listening. Look at the steps the government is taking to convince us to be calm and not be used as agents of public destruction. Let us give him 3 years to determine if he is doing well all or not. If we do not want him again, we should wait till 2027 to decide his fate at the ballot.

“We should exercise restraint and some quiet. I also call on the government to also do well to address the plight of Nigerians. Together, let us join hands to take this country to greater heights ,” the Osun NNPP Youth Leader stressed.