Despite calls to join the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest by one of their leaders, Omoyele Sowore, residents of Ondo State on Monday refused to come out in protest.
Mr Sowore had hinted in a social media post that a protest was imminent in Akure on Monday.
“Akure will now join the NEPA Roundabout project from Monday, August 5,” the post said.
Although banks and other financial institutions did not open early in the day for fear of attacks, other businesses and markets did open.
Vehicular movement was unhindered as no protesters gathered anywhere in the state to protest.
Protest organizers in Ondo state have pulled out of the protest, citing security reports of plans to burn down businesses owned by non-indigenous people.
Other stakeholders such as the Ondo State Students Association, drivers unions and youth groups had also announced their non-participation, ending any possibility of protest in the state.
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The People's Democratic Party (PDP) had earlier said that Ondo residents were hungry and needed to join the protest.
The party's Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, in a statement issued in Akure, said the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, induced youths, traditional rulers and others to shun the protest.
Mr Peretei said Mr Aiyedatiwa should stop misleading the gallery regarding the alleged failed protest across the state.
The statement followed Mr Aiyedatiwa's praise for Ondo residents for rejecting the protest.
However, the Ondo State Government has accused Sowore, who is also an indigene of the state, of conspiring with the opposition PDP to derail peace in the state.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Sunday Ibire, said the PDP statement was inciting and discredited the path of peace chosen by the people instead of looting and destroying properties.
“The #EndBadGovernance protests that erupted across the country on Thursday, August 1, 2024 have left more misery, anguish and death in many cities.
“According to the latest count, more than 17 deaths have been recorded and hundreds of people have been treated at various health facilities. 24-hour curfews have been declared in Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Zamfara and Bornu states due to the rampant destruction of public and private property and lives in the course of the protests.
“Since government basically exists to protect lives and property, Governor Aiyedatiwa should have been commended by the PDP and its members for averting the dire outcome of the protest as highlighted by Peretei in his fake press statement in Ondo State.
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“God is good to the people of Ondo State as the evil plan hatched in Brentford, UK by the PDP and friends of Omoyele Sowore to disturb the peace of Ondo State has been exposed. It is clear that those planning to protest in Akure on August 5 have a sinister objective beyond bringing about good governance,” Ibire said.
The governor's aide also alleged that there were plans to import protesters from neighbouring states as it was a known fact that the Ondo people had decided not to participate in the protest.
He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, students and youths in Ondo State to ignore the plan being hatched to revive the protest in Ondo.
“The voices of Nigerians have been heard loud and clear and it is time to give our leaders enough time to bring about the positive change we all yearn for,” Ibire added.