National Protest: The Ondo State Paradigm, A Catalyst for Enduring Democratic Principles
Newsry news
2nd August, 2024
The late sage and former governor of Ondo State, Pa Adekunle Ajasin, aptly defined democracy as “You talk; I talk.” This simple definition by our most respected leader has been the fulcrum of the philosophy and understanding of the vital principles of a government of the people.
Former United States President Abraham Lincoln, in his Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, remarked:
“That these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that the government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
This is perhaps one of the best-known speeches in world history and one of the greatest and most influential statements for any form of democracy.
Many world leaders have memorized this description of democracy and recited it at every possible opportunity. However, only a few understand and can apply or practice the basic principles of the tenets and essence of democracy, not at a peripheral level but at the core of every democratic government.
When the news of the planned nationwide protest broke, I closely monitored the strategy and activities of Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. For more than seven days preceding August 1st—the beginning of the 10-day planned protest tagged #EndBadGovernment, organized by the Take-It-Back Movement and other pro-democracy organizations in Nigeria and abroad—Governor Aiyedatiwa began the productive engagement of the people, particularly the youth demography.
On July 16, 2024, in commemoration of World Youth Day, the governor flagged off the “One Youth One Skill Scheme” through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Youth Empowerment to empower the teeming unemployed youths to be self-reliant and job creators rather than job seekers.
On Monday, July 29, the governor met with stakeholders, including students and youths, and assured them that the ongoing reforms by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will lead to economic recovery for the country. He addressed representatives of youth groups from the three senatorial districts of the state in Akure, where he vowed to prioritize the welfare of the youth and promised greater inclusion in his administration.
In the evening of the same day, the governor engaged with the youths from the oil-bearing communities of the state. The meeting focused on the need to protect critical oil installations and maintain peace across the coastline.
The day after—Tuesday, July 30—the governor approved the payment of bursaries and scholarships to students of state origin in tertiary institutions and the Nigerian Law Schools. He made the disclosure while addressing a student stakeholders meeting held at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office in Akure, the state capital.
Also, on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, the governor continued his strategic engagements with other critical stakeholders. The first gathering was that of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), which held a public engagement session at the International Culture and Events Centre in Akure, while representatives of various women’s groups held their meeting at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office.
Addressing the groups, Governor Aiyedatiwa again appealed for peaceful dialogue between the government and other stakeholders to prevent anarchy and chaos. The governor thanked and appreciated the youths for their understanding and constructive engagements.
The Governor didn’t leave any segment of the society out of his engagement – religion and traditional leaders, union and women groups.
As the day broke on the scheduled date of the planned nationwide protest, tension and anxiety enveloped the nation. There were staged protests across major capital cities in Nigeria. But in Akure, the capital city of Ondo State, there was peace, tranquility, and harmony.
The sleepless nights, stakeholders’ meetings, and strategic engagements of the governor with all demographics and interest groups paid off. Throughout the plethora of meetings and engagements, the governor displayed great equanimity and listened to the people with rapt attention, reminiscing on the ideals of our forebears that democracy is “you talk; I talk.” The people expressed themselves, the governor listened, and he acted upon their requests and demands.
In all these engagements, no attempt was made to take away the inalienable rights of the people to freely express themselves, assemble, and associate. After all, democracy is all about the people—the people must talk, and the government must listen and act accordingly. For us in the Sunshine State, the people have won!
The governor will continue to be grateful to the people. Let the prevailing relative peace in the state tarries.
Allen Sowore, Esq.
SSA to the Governor on Strategic Communication
02/08/2024
