The demonstrators invaded the Oyo State Secretariat in Ibadan on Friday, smashing everything in their path and using violence against anyone who tried to block their march.
The state’s governor, Seyi Makinde, declared an indefinite stop of his reelection campaign following Friday’s demonstrations in the state capital of Ibadan.
With security personnel hiding, the demonstrators pushed open the Secretariat’s two main gates while brandishing sticks, wood, and other potentially hazardous weapons.
Civil officials and those working within the state Secretariat were scrambling for safety in a chaotic situation.
After that, the irate protestors made their way to the governor’s office, where they tried to break down the gate. The demonstrators built bonfires all around the state Secretariat while it was in session.
The protesters eventually resorted to throwing stones and other deadly weapons into the governor’s office after encountering fierce resistance from the on-duty police, who opened fire into the air.
An assault by protestors resulted in the injury of a police officer working for the governor’s office.
The cop had tried to reason with the demonstrators by preaching restraint, but he was horrified to receive a hail of stones that hurt him.
The situation was prevented from spiraling out of control and becoming a serious crisis thanks to the quick action and support provided by members of the Operation Burst and Police Team.
The demonstrators were vocal in their denunciation of the hardships brought on by a lack of money and fuel.
After the protest, Mr. Sunday Odukoya, the governor Seyi Makinde’s executive assistant on security, lamented the rally’s violent turn and urged restraint.
Following the official opening of the 10-kilometer Omi Adio-Ido road in Ido Local Government, Governor Makinde declared an indefinite suspension of his re-election campaign, stating that the people were experiencing excessive hardship.
On Friday, the governor was scheduled to campaign in Ido Local Government, and on Saturday, the campaign train was scheduled to travel to Oluyole Local Government.
In a statement issued on behalf of the media committee of the governor’s reelection campaign council, the governor’s chief press secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, was quoted as saying: “I appreciate all the leaders and stakeholders who are ready for the campaign activities for today and I thank you for coming to meet us here today.
But regrettably, I shall be forced to put our campaign on hold. Due to protests in the city and the difficulties caused by the shortage of the new Naira notes, I will leave after this flag-off and head home.
Many of our folks have money in banks, but they cannot access it. Some of us who are running for office are unable to get finances; perhaps they do not want us to run.
“But I made a pledge to the residents of Oyo State that I would keep working for them right up until my last day in office. I represent them, so if there is hardship or unrest, I ought to stay off the campaign route. I ought to visit and watch out for their best interests.
“I have warned those in positions of power that if we don’t put politics aside and deal with governance head-on, EndSARS will be a piece of cake given the shortage of Naira notes and the mounting dissatisfaction. I hope that the nation’s leaders will work together.
