The Ondo State Youth Network(OSYN), under the leadership of Comrade Afe Adegboyega, has strongly condemned the arrest of Kunle Ajayi, the African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate, along with several other peaceful protesters by the Nigerian Police. This incident occurred during the #EndBadGovernance protest in Akure, the state capital. The arrest has been widely criticized as a blatant abuse of fundamental human rights and a gross violation of democratic principles.
In his statement, Comrade Afe Adegboyega described the arrest as "disdainful for the fact that the protesters were simply exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and expression." He called for the immediate and unconditional release of Kunle Ajayi and all other detained demonstrators. According to him, these individuals posed no security threat to the state and were only advocating for better governance and accountability from their leaders.
The Ondo State Youth Network has also made a direct appeal to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, urging him to use his position as the governor and Chief Security Officer of the state to intervene in this pressing matter. They are calling on him to ensure the prompt release of the arrested protesters, thereby upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of the citizens he swore to serve.
The arrest of Kunle Ajayi, alongside other peaceful protesters such as Oluwatobi Akinkuo, Patrick Owolabi, Kolawole Kumuyi, and Olalekan Oladehinde, has ignited widespread outrage and condemnation from various quarters. These individuals were participating in a peaceful demonstration against bad governance and seeking accountability from public officials when they were abruptly detained by the police.
The Ondo State Youth Network has pledged to continue their agitation for the release of the arrested protesters. They have also urged the Nigerian Police to respect the fundamental rights of citizens and to refrain from using excessive force against those engaging in peaceful protests. The Network emphasized that the use of force in suppressing legitimate dissent is not only undemocratic but also counterproductive to the development of the nation.
The Network remains resolute in its commitment to advocating for their release and will continue to push for greater accountability, transparency, and respect for human rights in governance. The youth network believes that only through such actions can a truly democratic society be nurtured and sustained, where the voices of the people are heard and respected.
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