Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has said that the protest by youths is not the solution to mounting challenges of governance.
He noted that well-meaning leaders had cautioned against the action, warning that it could be hijacked by hoodlums to cause mayhem.
The governor recalled that, before the commencement of the protest; he had engaged major stakeholders across the state on the need to shun it.
He said he had warned that it could degenerate into another #EndSars protest which led to loss of lives, businesses, property of citizens and public infrastructures.
However, as the protest entered the third day, Oborevwori, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Avon, commended Delta youths for embracing peace across the state.
He said: “My dear youths of Delta, I thank you for the way and manner you organised yourselves.
“We are aware that Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. We shall continue to protect the lives and property of our people.
“As a state government, we remain committed to the ideals of good governance anchored in our MORE Agenda.”
Also, the governor appealed to those behind the protest to end it, saying that it would aggravate the nation’s challenges.
Oborevwori renewed the appeal when he hosted the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, and his delegation at Government House, Asaba.
He said: “We know it is a very hard time but we believe that any time our people go to the streets to protest, the outcome is always different.
“We know all the demands and requests of the protesters. We are doing our best to make sure that our people are being taken care of. So, protest is not the solution at this time.
“You have reason to protest, but can you manage the protest? We have seen it in the past, we know what happened and how it ended. People were robbed and attacked.
“We have listened to your cry and we are doing our best. The solution is that we have to be more united and peaceful to see how we can move the state from the level it is today to a higher level. I believe we will achieve it.”
The governor urged Christian leaders to appeal to the youths for calm during services.
Also, while inaugurating newly appointed Commissioners and Special Advisers, Oborevwori, said the nation was experiencing hard times which require innovative and creative thinking by governments at all levels to provide good governance for the people.
He charged the appointees to “be innovative and think outside the box,” adding, “The times we live in call for creativity and innovation on the part of those of us who have been entrusted with leadership.”
He stressed: “Staying afloat in a turbulent economy demands mental rigour, strategic planning, and creative execution of policies and programmes.
“I urge you all to think outside the box. As leaders, you must be resourceful, encourage and welcome new ideas, and be ready to churn out innovative policies and programmes targeted at meeting the real needs and aspirations of our people. You must therefore guard against nonchalant attitudes and hit the ground running.”
[TheNation]