By Aderemi Bamgbose
Mr Akinrinwa Igbekeke, the Chairman, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Saturday said that there is no alternative to democracy which is the panacea for Nigeria to move forward.
The Council boss in his Democracy Day speech in Okitipupa urged citizens of the country, especially youths, to give peace a chance to thrive so that the country could reclaim its lost glory.
Igbekeke also said that it was a great pleasure to celebrate June 12, as Democracy Day in the history of the country which was also in honour of those who laid down their lives for democracy to thrive.
“It’s a pleasure that we are celebrating today as Democracy Day in the history of Nigeria and also to honour those who laid down their lives for democracy to thrive.
“I want to say that there is no alternative to democracy and peace in this country, like the maxim I am used to ‘Individualism can not solve the problem of collectivism’.
“Liiving in peace is a collective effort of all citizens; I enjoin all to give peace a chance always for the country to move forward,” Igbekele said.
Meanwhile, in a bid to forstall break-down of law and order on the purpoted protest by some youths and groups scheduled for Saturday, June 12, security was beefed-up in Okitipupa LGA and it’s environs.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, South-West Security Network code-named Amotekun Corps, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) patrol vehicle were seen patrolling the council and its environs.
Reacting, Igbekele said that the tight security was needed in a bid to forstall the 2020 experience of the protest against Police brutality, #EndSARS, which was hijacked by suspected hoodlums who destroyed government property.
According to him, the council lost several millions of Naira worth of infrastructures which were set ablase by the hoodlums who hijacked the peaceful protest.
He said the council Secretariat, the Okitipupa Police Station, Okitipupa Palm Oil Company, Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) among others were infrastructures badly affected.
He said that the council was yet to recover from the incident.
“We cannot afford to witness another #EndSARS which badly affected our council as many infrastructures were set ablaze and that is why we beefed-up security today to forestall any likely protest.
“We are yet to recover from the havoc of lasts year’s protest; we thank God that God is using people to rebuild our council now,” Igbekele added.
NAN reports that while many of the residents stayed indoors and the streets and roads in the council area were deserted for fear of being attacked by purported protesters, the council area was cool and calm. (NAN)
Democracy Day: No alternative to democracy – Ondo council boss.
