Femi Adesina says former President Olusegun Obasanjo
commended the speech given by President Muhammadu Buhari in
reaction to the violence that ensued following the shooting of
protesters at the Lekki Tollgate.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Buhari,
said Obasanjo told Buhari at a virtual meeting of heads of states
on Friday that he made points that are commendable.
Adesina revealed this in his statement titled ‘How EndSARS
Protest Was Hijacked; Misdirected, President Buhari Tells Former
Heads Of State’.
Many had believed that the Buhari’s speech came late and rather
lacked empathy, however, the president’s spokesman quoted Obasanjo
as saying, ”I commend the speech of last night. The nation had
been waiting. 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.”
Adesina went on to state that President Buhari told the former
leaders of the country at the virtual meeting that his government
has accepted all the demands of the protesters and proceeded
immediately to scrap SARS and started the process of addressing the
other demands.
The spokesman said President Buhari told the former heads of
state that he would not fold his arms and allow miscreants and
criminals continue to perpetrate acts of hooliganism in the
country.
Buhari also stated that it is unfortunate that the initial
genuine and well-intended protest of youths in parts of the country
against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was hijacked and
misdirected.
The President recounted the initial concessions made by his
administration on the demands of youths protesting against the
excesses of some members of the SARS.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
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 said: ”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.”
According to Adesina, 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.
The presidential spokesman said his principal reiterated his
pledge to Nigerians from the nationwide broadcast Thursday,
affirming that his government:
”will continue to improve good governance through our
democratic process including through sustained engagement.
”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.”
At the meeting were all living past leaders, including: Gen.
Yakubu Gowon, President Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi
Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Gen. Abulsalami Abubakar, and
former President Goodluck Jonathan.