The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, has said that democracy provides for peaceful protests.
Speaking during a breakfast meeting with some leaders of Ndokwa ethnic nationality at his residence in Asaba on Monday, the Deputy Governor said that nobody should deny anybody his or her constitutional rights.
He said, “as an individual, I am not against any protest, those who are writing whatever they care about on social media are also, protesting in their own way, what no government would accept is a violent protest, protest that will lead to destruction or that could be hijacked by hoodlums; also, democratic right does not mean that someone who is maligned cannot seek redress legally.
“Our people, the Ndokwa people are generally peaceful, we are not known for violence and I am surprised that at a time that the administration of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori which I am proudly part of is developing our area and other parts of our state, some persons are championing protest.
“Protest is to attract government’s attention to issue for government to address and if at this stage where we have achieved some results for our people, for the Ndokwa people to have electricity and someone is calling out the people or sponsoring a protest, then we will look at it critically, are they planning protest or mayhem? Is it politically induced? What do they want to achieve?
“Yes, I granted interview to Arise TV crew and I can assure you that we are working for the electrification of Ndokwa land and other parts of Delta State, not only Kwale because, as a government, we know the importance of electricity to the socio-economic life of the people.
“If you protest because there is no light in Kwale, we will address you and explain what government is doing for there to be light
“The planned protest to the best of my knowledge is not against the administration of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori or President Bola Tinubu, it is to tell the world what we are suffering for more than 16 years, the issue of lack of electricity in Ndokwa land did not start with the administration of Governor Oborevwori or President Tinubu, so, let us take it easy and allow government to work.
“If you champion a protest which turns to a riot, of course, you know the consequences, my brothers, let us remain peaceful, and follow due process in our activity.”
