on Saturday 24 October 2020. Photo courtesy of Prof. Chris Imafidon
By Olayiwola Balogun – The #EndSARS protest of the past weeks in Nigeria is threatening the unity of Africa’s most populous nation, as agitation by many of the ethnic nationalities seeking self rule is taking a global dimension.
Nigerians in the Diaspora are out protesting across major cities of the United Kingdom, Europe and America demanding for justice, equality and good governance.
In the UK, a petition raised by one Silas Ojo, requiring 100,000 signatures for the government to respond and implement sanctions on members of the Nigerian government and police force involved in any human rights abuses has exceeded 200,000.
The killing of the #EndSARS protesters in Nigeria has attracted condemnation across the international community with #Lekkimassacre trending.
In this report some influential Nigerians in the UK express their views to African Voice Newspaper.
Godwin Okri LLB Lawyer & Author, a prominent UK based Nigerian who was in Lagos during the protest said, “I was at the forefront of the protest in Lekki a day before the shooting. People demanded to hear from their President. The speech came. He made no mention of the unlawful killings at the Lekki Toll Gate nor the need to reduce the salaries of senators and Representatives.” Okri said, “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes a duty”.
Prominent Chartered accountant, who was former chairman of ICAN UK and Founder of IA-Foundation, Mrs Ronke Adeagbo said, “Indeed 2020 is an unprecedented year and this is indeed one of the darkest moment of our motherland, Nigeria. Things are falling apart and the centre cannot hold.
She further said, “Years of deprivation and poverty is fighting back. The pandemic, increase in petrol, increase in electricity tariff and increase in police brutality has finally come home to roost. Our people are not made of Stone. Our children watch as the youths fight for their right to a decent life, where they can be free and have the basic requirement of life, without being harassed. The irony of it is that the request of these protesters can be easily met and sensitivity is required from our leaders, at such a time like this. Our children are watching. This is not the type of Nigeria they want to grow up in.”
Project Manager and Business Analyst, Ebenezer ‘Yinka Daramola said, “President Buhari’s speech to the nation was highly disappointing both in content and tune. Considering the current mood of Nigerians across the world, the speech lacked empathy, showed the insensitivity of the president to the plight of his people. It should best be consigned to the rubbish bin of history. #EndSARS, #LekkiMassacre”
CEO, of Femade (UK) Limited, Otunba Obafemi Adenuga LLM, LLB (Hons.) said, “rather than addressing the demands of the protesters, and shooting to death of innocent and unarmed Nigerian youths in Lekki, Lagos on Tuesday 20th October; sympathise with their families, assuage the anger and feelings of those youths and other Nigerians, President Buhari chose to dwell on the programmes of his government, increase of teachers and police salaries, and advising foreign countries not to jump into conclusion on matters affecting Nigeria.”
He continued, “Other than that why is it that our President is always forced to address Nigerians on matters of national emergency? I believed that had the President addressed the protesting youths earlier in order to calm them down, those lost lives and property destroyed would have been saved. To me, that’s a big minus to President Buhari and his government.”
Ambassador (Dr) Abbey Akinoshun said, “It is so sad that the youths who have been pushed to the wall to organise ENDSARS Protests were gunned down for exercising their fundamental rights as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution. The long awaiting intervention and speech from the President did not do anything to calm the nation down, very disappointing speech.”
Emmanuel Urhiofe, a freelance writer also expressed his disappointment. He said,“President Buhari’s speech which was broadcast on the 22nd October to address the EndSARS protests came too late. It was full of promises that could have been delivered long before the protest. The speech itself was not properly delivered. It was a recorded speech that lacked empathy for the Nigerian youth. For almost two weeks the nation was in flames and Mr President lacked the statesmanship to address the nation. Former President Obasanjo played a fast one by addressing the protesters first before President Buhari did. Nigeria need a total restructuring and this is a point the president fail to address. We waited for a speech but we were speechless by his speech”.
Prince Gbenga Adenuga an engineer with British Gas said, “I might be wrong, but this wasn’t the kind of a speech expected of a President of a country like Nigeria. You get the impression that the whole agenda is bordering on behave yourselves or else, and with a subtle hint of a middle finger to the outside observers.
Consequently, paragraph 7 of the speech says…”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…”
For two good weeks, the agitations by the youths and Nigerians in general did not prompt his government or the President to address the nation and he dare say promptness?
The president was so quiet the whole period, he obviously wasn’t bothered by the agitations for good governance/#EndSARS movements…but when things started to fall apart, he suddenly realised he is the President and needed to address the nation. This is pure, utterly and collective failure from all quarters of the government.
Remember, this is a man whose tenure has been plagued by gaffes, unforced errors, incompetence and a puzzling cluelessness that seemed to point to the challenges with his health
BUT…how do we get here in the first place? This is a question for another day.”
Chief Akintokunbo Adejumo, a Principal Trainer/Consultant who sympathised with President Buhari said, “We can never all be satisfied, and that’s very normal. For me I see some substance in the President’s Address, but committed cynics would not. How can someone tell me that the speech does not make any sense? Is there a perfect speech and how can the speech sound the same to 300 million ears?
Chief Adejumo further said, “Let the cynics tell us what is not in the speech and what they are expecting. By my training you cannot totally dismiss what a researcher must have done no matter how he/she must have not come up good. There should still be some takeaways. My only problem with the speech is that it came rather belatedly”.
Dr Dayo Olomu (DDO) a Human Capital Development Expert and Inspirational & Motivational Speaker said, “I am so disappointed by the long awaited address of President Buhari. It lacks empathy, compassion and hope. The most shocking aspect for me is that he never mentioned anything about the Lekki shootings. The speech made me speechless. So sad. I will continue and also join others to continue to pray for Nigeria.”
Ayan De First-Mr Culture in a passionate call to President Buhari said, “Dear Mr President with due respect all Nigerians need your support to end SARS. According to some video clips most of these police men work hand in hand with armed robbers. #SARS is massacre and needs to stop. Many thanks in advance ”.
Enterprenuer and Director at Rosie Tate, Mr Duro Lawal said, “ The president’s speech is simply placid and uninspiring at this critical time in the history of our country. However, we can only appeal to well meaning Nigerians across the board to intervene and cease all senseless looting and arson attacks as we do not have another country but Nigeria. Care should be the watch word presently as unknown forces are bent on destroying the gains on the land. Nigeria is a great country, we owe it to future generation to keep it together.”
HRH Princess Moradeun Adedoyin-Solarin a broadcaster referred to President Buhari’s speech as too little, too late.
Princess Moradeun said, “It is quite disheartening how President Buhari has responded to the #EndSars protests in Nigeria…It is indeed a case of Too Little, Too Late!…
There was no clear acknowledgement for the sad unprovoked killings of some of the unarmed youths who were protesting…Nor was there any specific message of condolence to the parents & families of these fallen heroes…
The leadership of a nation that fails to Listen & React Quickly to the Cries it’s Youths…That is also Insensitive to the Sufferings of the Citizens, is definitely not Fit for the Leadership Position bestowed on them!…
Though we always Clamour for PEACE, We must understand there can be no Peace without Equal Rights and Justice!”
Meanwhile, a group of seven made up of Nigerian Community leaders in the UK issued a communiqué at the end of an emergency meeting on the 22nd of October 2020.
The group consist of Dr Boma Douglas, Chairman Central Association of Nigerians in the UK, CANUK. Chief Bimbo Robert Folayan Former Chairman Central Association of Nigerians in the Uk, CANUK, Chief Anthony Ajiduah, Former President Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK & Northern Ireland, Chief, Dr, Mrs, Kate Anolue Former Double Mayor of Enfield, London UK, Cllr Susan Fajana Thomas Former Speaker of Hackney Council, Mr Omusa Ohyoma First Vice Chairman NIDO UK South and Dr Nnanna Igwe President Ohaneze Ndigbo UK & Northern Ireland Convener of Peace Meeting.
The release by the group made available to African Voice reads as follow: Nigerian Community leaders in the UK are concerned about the military killings, chaos, confusion, looting and destruction of lives and property in Nigeria have held an emergency meeting on the 22nd of October 2020.
Reviewing the #EndSARS: Nigerian protest against police brutality, the leaders expressed support for Nigerian youths who have genuine reasons to protest against police brutality and bad government policies.
The leaders agreed to the following:
1. Expressed their support for the #EndSARS campaign and remind the government of the right of every Nigerian to come together with others to peacefully express their views, take part in marches, protests and demonstrations.
2. Condemn in very strong terms, the army shooting, attacks and forceful disruption of peaceful #Endsars Protesters at Lekki Toll Gate on 20/10/20 in Lagos resulting in significant casualties and loss of lives. That action was the lowest moment in Nigerian history and affront to the fundamental human rights and freedom of association of Nigerians.
3. Expressed their condolences to the families of innocent and unarmed #Endsars Protesters so far killed especially during the army shooting at the Lekki Toll Gate on Tuesday 20/10/20 as well as all those killed extra-judicially in Nigeria over the years by SARS and police brutality.
4. Share and support the objectives of peaceful #Endsars youths protest demanding immediate end to police brutality and good governance and a better society in Nigeria and enjoin the Federal Government, the States and Local Governments and all leaders to listen and learn from the yearnings of the united Nigerian youths involved in this protest.
5. Condemn anarchy, arson, looting, rampage and wanton destruction of private properties, public utilities, institutions and facilities. Condemn acts of destruction of people’s shops and looting of properties. These acts are not acceptable and negate the vision of the #Endsars movement.
6. Call on all hoodlums to stop immediately any further acts of vandalism in the East, South, West and North of Nigeria. Enough is enough.
7. Call on the Federal Government to set up urgent judicial panel of inquiry into the army shooting of peaceful protesters and all forceful disruptions of the peaceful #Endsars protest. All security agencies must avoid use of force against the peaceful youth #Endsars protest in Nigeria. The Federal Government should set up a special fund to support the families of all those killed and maimed in the #Endsars protest across the country.
8. Remind Nigerians that the #Endsars protest has no ethnic or religious connotations. The protest was a spontaneous and united peaceful movement by all Nigerian youths to press for a change in the affairs of the nation. ‘We commend their unity of purpose very highly with appreciation’.
9. Call on all Nigerian youths to remain peaceful, united and coordinated and not allow themselves to be divided along ethnic or religious lines by people who do not wish them well and by those with their own hidden agenda.
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