the state government to allow them convey their Akure Youth Carnival
celebration.
The irate youths paralysed commercial activities in the city,
barricading the Oba Adesida road and damaging some infrastructures in
the capital city, including billboards of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
It took the intervention of men of the mobile Police Force to disperse
the rampaging youth were furiously burning tyres in protest of the
cancelled carnival.
Earlier, at the Akure city hall, the youth were addressed by the
President, Akure Youth Coalition, Comrade Adekanbi Oluwatuyi who
expressed great disappointment over the refusal of the state
government and the heavy presence of security agents at the improvised
venue of the carnival.
Oluwatuyi who described the development as a slap on the faces of
Akure people said they will not resort to violence in the display of
their grievances but will seek proper channel to air the views.
It was learnt that the carnival which was slated for Wednesday had
been publicised for over one month.
Popular musician, Saheed Osupa was billed to perform at the carnival
with thousands of Akure in the diaspora already invited.
Trouble started when the youth got to the venue of the carnival only
to discover that the venue had been besieged by men of the Nigeria
Police Force (NPF).
The expectation and preparation of the jubilant youths were however
cut short as security authorities ordered the cancellation of the
event.
While narrating his ordeal, the President of Akure Youth Coalition,
Comrade Adekanbi Oluwatuyi who wept over the disappointment said the
event was initially scheduled to hold last year but was shifted to the
17th of April this year because of the death of the late Deji, Oba
Adebiyi Adesida, Afunbiowo.
He said a letter had been written to the government of the day
alongside security agents intimating them of the event and also to
formally request for the use of Democracy park.
Oluwatuyi said on the Ist of this month, a letter of approval was sent
to him, approving the use of the Democracy park for the carnival.
He said despite the fact that letters of security coverage had been
sent to the Nigeria Police Force, Ondo state command, the State
Security Service (SSS) and other security agents cancelled the event
at the last minutes.
Oluwatuyi said three days to the event, he was called that a letter
was awaiting him from the Ministry of Transport.
He said the letter was meant to reverse the approval of the Democracy
park on the ground that the place was under construction.
Oluwatuyi said " a rational mind would know that thet place is not
under construction. The government and other bodies have been using
that place for over two years"
"We went to Kabiyesi, and told him. Our "Oba" in my presence called
concerned authorities, ranging from the Commissioner for Transport,
Nicholas Tofowomo, the Secretary to the state government, (SSG) and
others we don't want to mention their names and to my utmost surprise
they did not pick Kabiyesi's call"
" After many steps had been taken, the King concluded that we should
make use of the Akure City hall, since it was built by Indegines of
Akure"
"We were surprised when we were told again that the state government
said the SSS said we can't hold the carnival that rival cult groups
were coming to strike. I told them we are no cults but only Akure
indigenes that want progress for our town"
"Infact I personally went to the SSS and told them that they should
have given us the security report that cult groups are coming to
strike instead of telling the government, but I was shocked when the
SSS said they did not issue any report of such" Oluwatuyi added.
Oluwatuyi said himself and his colleagues were at the Akure City hall-
improvised venue of the carnival all through the nite to prepare the
stage for the musician and preparing ground for the event.
"We were surprised this morning when we came here (Akure city hall)
and saw heavily armed security agents barricading the venue of the
event." Oluwatuyi said.
He said it was funny and shocking when the security agents said there
was a standing order that the event could no longer hold.
Oluwatuyi said the Police Area Commander of Akure personally told him
that members of Boko Haram were in Akure and the event was
subsequently cancelled.
Furious by the development, the youths went to "Baba Omolaree" house
to rain curse on whoever was instrumental to the cancellation of the
carnival.
Investigation revealed that the "Omolaree" house is a revered
traditional place which means a lot to the traditional people of
Akure.
The youth leader explained that millions of Naira have been expended
on the carnival including payment of the popular musician, Osupa who
had been paid and also checked into a hotel in the town.
Reacting to the development, the state police command said they were
not involved in the cancellation process.
Speaking on behalf of the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) Mr
Yemi Lawal said the police authority had approve the event to hold and
had also prepared to provide security.
The Police however said after all arrangements had been made, the
state government made an observation and cancelled the event.
But in a swift reaction, the Commissioner of Information, Mr. Kayode
Akinmade said the state government cancelled the carnival in view of
the insecurity in the country.


A Human Rights Activist, Morakinyo Ogele called on the State
government to apologise to the resident for distrupting their peaceful
gathering.
Ogele said Mimiko had already turned Ondo State to Rivers State where
former Commissioner, Mbu refused to grant people the right for
peaceful rally.
--
Faith Olaniran
Mobile lines: +234-8062723258, +234-8074695684,
www.faitholaniran.blogspot.com
Twitter:@olaniranfaith
facebook:Faith Oluwalose Olaniran
A Seeker of the Unknown to man but Known to God.
