Protest: Gov Abdulrazaq urges Kwarans to work for peace, stability

• Says scars of ENDSARS remain with many businesses, families

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has described the people of the state as peaceful and thoughtful, saying they would avoid any action that can disrupt the peace of the State or cause destruction of lives and businesses.

In a statement on Friday in Ilorin, the state capital, the Governor said; “I’m confident that the people of Kwara, whether old or young, understand that challenges of life are not to be tackled through actions that may cause further damage or have negative consequences for themselves, their families, our state, and our country.

“Kwarans learn from history. Together as a people, we faced the horror of the ENDSARS protest that some roughnecks used as a smokescreen to loot properties, businesses, and attack innocent citizens. We had to deploy scarce resources to support many of the businesses that were ruined so that no further job losses will be recorded. The scars of ENDSARS still remain with many families today.

“I understand that many of our citizens want faster actions to ease the economic situation. This is a valid concern to which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all of us in government continue to respond through multidimensional approaches. However, the worst we can do to ourselves at this time is to adopt any action that may worsen things, especially for businesses or public infrastructure put in place to serve all of us.

“To our young people, social media influencers, and opinion moulders, I urge you to help mobilise for national growth, peace, harmony, improved socioeconomic development, general well-being, and stability. Let us avoid any action that may end in collective regret, loss of lives, or destruction of our common patrimony. A protest of any kind, however well-intentioned, may trigger off destructive actions. Let us not give in to whatever temptations to set off our state or country on the path of instability.

“I commend the different stakeholders in the state, including community associations across the state, for mobilising for peace and stability. That is the way to go as our challenges will not disappear when we turn against one another. Our challenges are better discussed and steadily resolved in an atmosphere of peace and stability.”