Gbenro Adesina
The Nigerian Youth has declined the appeal of the nation’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to sheath their swords by putting an end to the nationwide protest against police brutality and bad governance.
The youth told the Vice President that their protest goes beyond police brutality, stressing that they were protesting the failure of Nigeria as a nation.
The protesters said, “We’re not just about EndSARS. We’re now on Restructure Nigeria Now. The government have to meet up with our seven point demands before we consider anything else. This movement is beyond EndSARS. We are saying restructure the nation. You greedy leaders need to take huge pay cuts, uninterrupted power supply, increase the minimum wage to hundred thousand naira, reduce fuel price, fix bad roads. Then we can begin to take you serious.
One of them said, “Sir, this is far more than just police reform. We, the youths are tired. The government has failed us. The government does not have plan for the youth. Those that benefited from the county are hell bent on destroying the country. We need good governance. This present administration under Muhammadu Buhari is a huge joke”.
“SARS is not the only issue here. You do know how much members of the National Assembly are earning. That is my tax! Our tax!! The people’s hard earned money! Heck! We should be paid hardship allowance! Reduce the cost of governance! We are tired! We are angry!! Very angry!!!,”, another added.
Earlier, Osinbajo acknowledged the fact that Nigerian government has failed the nation, stressing that Nigerians have genuine reasons to be angry at the state of the country.
He said, “We could’ve moved faster and for this we are sorry. I fully understand how many young people feel. Many feel that we have been too silent and have simply not done enough. These feelings of frustration are justified. There are far too many people who have been brutalised at the hands of the police and this is unacceptable. We must take responsibility for protecting young people, even sometimes from those who are paid to protect them”.
He revealed, “Over the past week, we have been following the protests, and I have had a number of discussions with key people in the administration that you deserve to be informed about. Transparency, after all, is a key tenet of government. Several meetings have been held with: the Ahmed Lawal, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to, Chairman of the, IGP, the Executive Secretary of National Human Right Commission of Nigeria (NHRCN) and governors. We understand that you want to see action from us and I’m here to tell you that work is ongoing. I chaired a meeting of 36 state governors and the Minister of the FCT (NEC), where we resolved to set up judicial panels of inquiry so we can see justice served, and fast. The reason being that only state governors, by law, can set up judicial inquiries in their states. The hearings will be public”.
He continued, “With Mr. President’s approval, SARS has been completely disestablished, and none of its former members will feature in any police tactical units. I am sending my deepest condolences to the families of Jimoh Isiaq, and all those who have lost their lives at the hands of wayward police officers. To those injured, I wish a full and speedy recovery. We have proposed that each state government set up a Victims’ Support Fund, which Nigerian government will support. This is the least that we can do to compensate for the injustice suffered at the hands of errant officers”.
“We also understand that the issues that you’re raising are bigger than just SARS. They’re deep and systemic and we’re undertaking comprehensive measures that will revamp the police by addressing issues of welfare, service conditions and training”, he concluded.
