In a rare gesture, former
President Olusegun Obasanjo has commended President Buhari over his Thursday’s
broadcast to the nation, on #EndSARS crisis.
Obasanjo made the commendation at
a virtual meeting he attended with other surviving former leaders with Buhari.
‘I commend the speech of last
night. The nation had been waiting”, Obasanjo said, contrasting the many
attacks on the speech, for skirting Lekki Shooting.
“You made points that I believe
need to be commended.
“Peaceful demonstration is part
of democratic practice.
“The demands of the genuine
protesters were accepted, and you are working on implementation. We commend
you,” Obasanjo, said.
Both Obasanjo and Buhari have
head-butted on various issues in the past, culminating in Obasanjo wishing a
regime change, while endorsing his former deputy, Atiku Abubakar in the 2019
poll.
Other past leaders at the virtual
meeting were Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Chief Ernest
Shonekan, Gen. Abulsalami Abubakar, and former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Buhari recounted to the meeting
the initial concessions made by his administration on the demands of youths
protesting against the excesses of some members of the Federal Special
Anti-robbery Squad FSARS.
He recalled that the youths had
demanded that the squad be disbanded, and further articulated the additional
demands, including:
”The immediate release of all
arrested protesters.
”Justice for deceased victims of
police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families.
”Setting up an independent body
to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of Police
misconduct within 10 days.
”Psychological evaluation and
re-training of all disbanded SARS officers before they can be re-deployed; and
increase in Police salary.”
The President declared: ”We
accepted all the demands and proceeded immediately to scrap SARS and started
the process of addressing the other demands.
”Unfortunately, the protesters
refused to call off the protest and engage the Government to address their
grievances. Instead, they became emboldened and gradually turned violent.”
President Buhari expressed
concern that in the mayhem that ensued, many lives have been lost, a number of
public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalized.
Reiterating his pledge to
Nigerians from the nationwide broadcast Thursday, the President reaffirmed:
”We will continue to improve good
governance through our democratic process including through sustained
engagement.
”We shall also continue to ensure
that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are
protected. Here, I want to also reaffirm our commitment to preserving the unity
of this country.”
Buhari described as unfortunate
the hijack of the initial genuine and well-intended protest of youths in parts
of the country against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
He said his government will not
fold its arms and allow miscreants and criminals continue to perpetrate acts of
hooliganism in the country.
Buhari thanked the former Heads
of State for attending the meeting and their invaluable comments, observations
and advice, adding that ”Nigerians expect nothing less from responsible statesmen.”
Each of the former leaders
commended President Buhari for steps taken so far to restore calm and order to
the country and also applauded the presidential broadcast of Thursday as
detailed and soothing to the country.
The former heads of state were
unanimous in their view that generation of employment and growing the economy
including through direct foreign investments were critical to checking youth
restiveness.
They also expressed their
condolences to the bereaved families of civilians, policemen and soldiers
killed as a result of the violent protest, and reaffirmed the commitment to
respect the fundamental rights of citizens, including for peaceful protest as enshrined
in the Constitution.
The former Heads of State also
condemned the divisive and inciting pronouncements of separatists, and were of
the opinion that such acts should be stopped.
Equally, the former Leaders
commended the actions taken by Governors to address the demands of the ENDSARS
protesters and their efforts to check the excesses of those who perpetrated
violent acts and conduct.
Finally, they called on youths to
pursue peaceful means, in seeking redress through engagement with Government
and encouraged further conversation with the youths and other stakeholders in
the country.
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