Story from Kenneth AFOR, Lagos
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appealed to #EndSARS protesters to call off the ongoing protests across the country to allow the federal and state governments implement their demands.
The former governor of Lagos stated this in a 24-part message via his Twitter handle late Monday night.
He expressed optimism that the country will not remain the same again as a result of the quality and potency of the protest which was a show of the people’s will, he advised that this new order must be utilised to strengthen the country’s democracy.
“The protests have forcefully demonstrated the reality and potency of people’s power and the new energy must be tapped and channeled to strengthen, not weaken the country’s democracy. Surely, the country cannot remain the same after this.
“Finally, I also strongly appeal to the protesters – you have made your point. Government has made its commitment to you. Please , please and please, call off the protests. Give government a chance to implement your demands. God bless you,” he stated.
He called on state governors who are yet to set up the judicial panel of inquiry on police brutality in their respective states to emulate the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his counterparts to do so, which is an integral part of assuring protesters that the government is on their side.
He also commended and made an appeal to the various religious leaders to call on their followers to convince them in calling off the protest in order to give peace a breathing space.
“It is a good sign that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos and a number of other state governments have speedily set up judicial panels of inquiry into acts of police brutality over the years. I urge the state governments which are yet to do so to emulate this example.
“Let me commend all our religious leaders, Christians and Muslims for their patriotism and high sense of responsibility at this sensitive time. I appeal to them to call on their teeming followers to call off the protests for now and give peace a chance,” he added.
He, however noted that the current struggle of the protesters which is to reform the police and ultimately lead to the protection and well-being of Nigerian but frowned at the way and manner in which some individuals have infiltrated the protest which is gradually turning to violence.
“The protesters have made considerable gains within a very short period. But they should also be careful not to fritter away such gains due to lack of moderation and strategic thinking. For instance, it is unfortunate that hoodlums, thugs and assorted criminals have seized on the protests to perpetrate violence, disrupt civil life and harass, intimidate and assault innocent persons going about their lawful business.
“The fight for police reforms is surely to promote and protect the wellbeing of millions of Nigerians. It is a contradiction for the protesters to act in ways that will further worsen the economic well being of the very people they are fighting for,” he said.
He, therefore asked for patient from the protesters for government to implement their demands.
“It is only fair that government must be given the chance to implement the reforms demanded by the protesters. This can certainly not be done instantaneously by the waving of a magic wand,” he said.
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