The Senator representing Kwara Central district, former governor Bukola Saraki yesterday waded into the face-off between the state government and commercial motorcyclists as he called on stakeholders in the senatorial district to embrace peace for the overall development of the state.

Saraki, after meeting with the leaders of the commercial motorcyclists and some state officials at his residence in Ilorin, the state capital expressed concern that the cyclists did not employ the opportunities for dialogue opened by the state government before embarking on their weekend protest which literally grounded the state capital.

The former governor who described government's decision to ban commercial motorcyclists from some routes in the state as a result of prevailing security challenges, however, expressed satisfaction with the pledge by the group that to allow for peace and dialogue in the resolution of the controversy.

He said: "I have just finished meeting with the Okada riders association on their last week protest", he told reporters after the event. "I am one those who believe that before embarking on street protest you must have exhausted all channels of dialogue and discussion. As the Senator representing Kwara Central, I believe that one's office too is a channel for dialogue and this was not used before the association went on protest.

"I believe this is wrong and should not be used especially in this fragile situation we are all in. In this kind of situation we should try and resolve things peacefully especially when the issue at hand is not a complex one. We got assurances of their part that they will always take the path of peace and dialogue as opposed to this kind of approach. 

Government's action is as a result of the challenges of security in the country at large."

The Senator also used the opportunity to appeal for peace in the state, pointing out that experiences about unemployment as well as delay in the payment of salaries were not peculiar to the state but the by product of a global economic challenge facing many states of the federation irrespective of the political party in charge in such states.

"In the absence of peace, very little development will take place", the former governor said, adding " We thank God for us in Kwara state for the peace we are experiencing. You see what is happening in other states.