Hardship: Nigerians have right to protest but… – Makinde

• He implored Nigerians to exercise their rights in a peaceful manner and not resort to violence or destroy government property

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has acknowledged the constitutional right of Nigerians to protest amid the widespread hardship in the country.

He asserted that the perennial and prevalent anger and hunger across the country is responsible for the planned protest.

Makinde made this assertion while speaking at the grand finale of the 2024 Ibadan Cultural Week, organised by Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).

Within Nigeria reports that August 1 has been fixed as the day for a nationwide protest against hunger across the country.

Makinde, while addressing the audience at the event held on Saturday at Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, the state capital, stated that protesters should not destroy public facilities and infrastructure while expressing their grievances.

He implored Nigerians to exercise their rights in a peaceful manner and not resort to violence or destroy government property.

Makinde said, “Nigeria could be in this situation for now. We could be experiencing anger and hunger in the land and that is why our people want to protest.

“Yes, protest is everybody’s right. But remember that we used your money to build all the structures and facilities we have put in place in this state, not mine.

“So, if you want to protest, it must be peaceful.

“If you begin your protest, don’t destroy government properties, otherwise, we will have to use the money we are supposed to spend on meaningful projects to replace facilities that may get destroyed.”