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Call off protests, let govt implement demands- Tinubu
By Modupe Shodeinde
The National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday, has called on the #EndSARS protesters to end the protests, stating that they have made their points and made gains within a short time.
The former governor stated that the protests have affected the socio-economic activities in Abuja, Lagos, Benin and other capital cities in the country.
He urged them to calm down and exercise patience for the government to carry out their demands.
“You have made your point. Government has made a commitment to you. Please, please and please, call off the protests. Give Government a chance to implement your demands.” he appealed to the protesters in a statement.
He added that, “This process of change should be supported and cannot be done in an atmosphere of endless protests that are also crippling an economy already enfeebled by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
He explained that “It is only fair that government must be given the chance to implement the reforms demanded by the protesters. This can certainly not be done instantaneously by the waving of a magic wand.
“If government had not implemented promised reforms in the past, the swiftness with which it has responded to the demands of the protesters this time around shows that that there is a positive change by government, both of attitude and of a new sense of urgency.”
Tinubu praised the youths for their sense of maturity, restraint and responsibility, adding that the agitations underscored the power of the people.
He, however, urged the protesters to express their democratic right to protest in a way that will not impede the right of other citizens’ movement, expression and liberty to pursue their livelihood.
He said that the protesters have recorded some gains, they should not fritter them away due to lack of moderation and strategic thinking.
Tinubu said that while the purpose of the protest is to achieve police reform, some hoodlums, thugs and other criminals have capitalised on the protests to perpetrate violence, harass and intimidate innocent citizens.
“The intent of the organisers of the protests is to achieve stated objectives on police reform, which the government has in principle accepted. It can certainly not be their motive to cause generalized anarchy or effect regime change. If they give the impression that that is their goal, then any government will necessarily have to act with the requisite decisiveness and force to restore law and order and preserve constitutional rule.” he said.
He added the protest is an indication of the democratic culture in Nigeria, however, caution should be taken so as not to set the stage for erosion or destruction of this democratic process.
He also praised religious leaders for what he called their sense of patriotism and urged them to prevail on their teeming followers to call off the protests for now and give peace a chance.
The APC leader stated that the country cannot remain the same, “The government has demonstrated its sensitivity to the demands of the youth and must now be supported to implement the reforms it has committed itself to.”
