Mr Timothy Owoeye, the Speaker of Osun House of Assembly, on Sunday condemned the widespread looting and vandalism of private and public property in the state by residents and hoodlums under the guise of EndSARS protest.
Owoeye in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Alabi, noted that lessons had been learnt in the past few days.
He said that youths could build a better society without first bringing it to ashes.
He called on Osun youths to give dialogue and peace a chance in developing the state as envisaged by the state’s founding fathers.
The speaker noted that the wanton looting and destruction by some youths would do the state no good but put a clog in the wheels of development and progress.
He said that peaceful protest was a constitutional right of every citizen but it seized to be legitimate when it turned to an avenue for looting and destruction of our collective heritage.
Owoeye commiserated with individuals and the private sector over the temporary setback.
The speaker gave an assurance to investors that “the Gov. Gboyega Oyetola-led administration is on top of the situation of making investments safe as ever in the state’’.
He commended security agencies for calming the tensed situation without force, saying the minimal force exhibited was well appreciated by all and sundry in the state.
“I want to appeal to our youths and their counterparts in the country to remain calm and peaceful.
“We should be law abiding and stop indulging in the destruction of public, private property and investments.
“We all have our strengths and weaknesses. We can harmonise positions and get stronger.
“Lessons are being learnt. Together we can build a better Osun and Nigeria without first bringing it to ashes.” Owoeye said.
