A Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens, the organizing body of the EndBadGovernance protest in Osun State, has called off further protests and rallies in the state.
The group stated this at a press conference addressed on Tuesday in Osogbo, the state capital.
According to Ajala Adetunji, the group’s coordinator, protesters would henceforth desist from further protests after being able to present their demands to the state governor through his deputy.
Adetunji explained that the group, acting on behalf of the protesters, also reviewed the security situation in the state and decided to end the protests in order to allow the ongoing Osun Osogbo festival proceed without any negative incident.
He said: “Furthermore, we reviewed the security situation vis-a- vis the Osun Osogbo festival presently ongoing at Osogbo. It is worthy of note to establish that protest is incidentally taking place in Osogbo which is of concern.
“Considering the safety of the influx of tourists coming for the global Osun osogbo festival and the possibility of hoodlums disguising as tourist and unleashing attacks on peaceful protesters amidst other security concerns, we consider it imperative to put the protest on hold today 6th August, 2024.”
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Adetunji, who noted that the group’s demands were clear enough for the government to respond to, said the president’s speech on Sunday failed to address any of its specific demands.
He said: “Despite this setback, today we successfully presented our demands to the Governor of Osun State through the deputy governor and secretary to the state government, who told us that the governor will forward our demands to the federal executive Council.
“The Coalition will remain vigilant and committed to ensuring that our demands are met while we call on all participants and supporters to stay united and await further updates on the progress of our engagement with the government.”
Adetunji then urged the government to address its demands promptly and decisively, as that was the only condition that could stem the tide of further protests in future.
