After weeks of #EndSARS protests and calls by Nigerians on President Muhammadu Buhari to address the situation, the president has finally spoken.
In his nationwide broadcast on Thursday night the President called on the protesting youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions.
He assured the protesters that their voices have been” heard loud and clear and we are responding”.
The President acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS noting that government listened to the agitation and immediately scrapped the unit.
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He noted that “sadly the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.
“The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated.”
“So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.”
“All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests.
Without directly addressing the Lekki Tollgate shooting in Lagos and mayhem in some parts of the country ,President Buhari said ;
” I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.”
“The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.”
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While assuring that government will continue to improve good governance, democratic process, including through sustained engagement, he added that it will also continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.
“But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence, he said
The President berated members of the international community for taking position in the #EndSARS protests without seeking to know all the facts available.
He said: “To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.”
He appealed to the protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out government initiatives, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating democracy.
He warned that” to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.”
President Buhari however called on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect.
“Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.”
“I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.”
“This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.”
