The Ondo Masses Solidarity Movement (MSM) has accused the embattled deputy governor of the state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of allegedly being behind the aborted protest in the state on Monday.
Naija News had earlier reported that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State on Monday staged a protest against the sealing of its secretariat.
The secretariat was sealed following a planned protest against the continued absence of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in the state, after his return from medical vacation abroad.
Security operatives, comprising operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, the Department of State Security, DSS, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, laid siege to the PDP secretariat around 6.30 a.m.
The Coordinator of MSM, Ogunyemi Jeremiah while speaking on the protest said it was meant to allegedly incite crisis in the state and derail the impeachment process of the deputy governor.
Jeremiah said, “Aiyedatiwa had been reaching out to opposition parties and youths to occupy the street of Akure and protest against the governor.
“We have it on good authority that the deputy governor instigated the protest and had already sponsored some youths to join the protest. A meeting was held at a hotel in Alagabaka, Akure last night where money was shared among the youths.
“As stakeholders in this state and voice of the masses, we condemn in strong terms, the activities of the embattled deputy governor. We are astonished by the actions of the deputy governor and his resolve to set the state on fire.
“We appreciate the security agencies for rising to the occasion. We are aware that the protest would have led to wanton destruction of properties and people’s lives.
“The planned protest was never in the interest of the masses. The masses are receiving their palliative and also enjoying thriving sales due to the regular payment of salaries and leave bonuses in the state.
“We are calling on well-meaning Nigerians and people of the state to warn the deputy governor to desist from attempts to set our dear state on fire. We should learn from history and guide against any act that will bring our state into jeopardy.
“We are convinced that this induced protest is not in the interest of the masses. We will not allow a group of people, who were motivated by money to interrupt the relative peace in the state.”