National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress,
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, says last Tuesday’s alleged shooting of #EndSARS
protesters by soldiers at Lekki toll gate has complicated matters for him.
The former Governor of Lagos said this in an article on
Sunday while denying allegations that he was behind the incident. But he
lamented that many people are now wrongly blaming him for the shooting though
he has nothing to profit politically or otherwise from the incident.
Tinubu insisted he played no part in the incident while
insisting that he was not the owner of Lekki toll gate through which some
people had tried to link him to the shooting. Yet, the former governor affirmed
the right of Nigerians to protest peacefully.
He also declared support for an end to all forms of
institutionalised brutality which was a key demand of EndSARS protesters.
“The present situation clearly does nothing to profit me
politically or otherwise. It has complicated matters for me because many people
now wrongfully blame me for a violent incident in which I played no part.
“Still, I stand strongly behind the people of Nigeria and
affirm their right to protest peacefully. Along with all well-meaning,
patriotic Nigerians, I want to see an end to all forms of institutionalised
brutality and I shall do my utmost to see that this humane objective is
realised.
“For, if these protests can generate meaningful reform, our
youth will have achieved a compound national success. First, they would have
ended the terrible matter of institutionalized police brutality.
“Second, Nigeria would have made an important accretion to
our political culture whereby government listened to and acted on the
recommendations of ordinary people protesting against the wrongs done them.
“This would establish a healthy precedent. Yet such durable
progress can be made only if government respects the protesters and protesters
actively negotiate with government. No steps should be taken by government
to curtail protest activity as the
people have chosen this vehicle as their preferred way to interface with
government on this issue.
“Yes, protest leaders too must appreciate the concrete
realities of this situation. Street protests cannot last indefinitely without
degenerating into other serious problems that no one wants. You have gotten
government’s ear and attention, use this moment to press your case.
“The right to protest should be pacifically exercised and
never abused; neither should it be feared or unduly curtailed. It is essential
because it lends greater depth to the relationship between government and the
governed. If we are to attain parity with older, more established democracies,
we must accept protests as part of our national development. It is important
that Nigeria get this situation right.
“The direction and pace of our democratic progress weighs in
the balance as the entire world watches to see how we manage ourselves at this
delicate moment.”
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com