- Commend Youth for Courageous, Patriotic Demands for Better Nigeria
IN addition to taking immediate and urgent steps to identifying, arresting and prosecuting those who gave instruction for soldiers to shoot protesting youth at the Lekki Toll Gate on 20th October 2020; President Muhammadu Buhari has been asked to respond positively to the consensus opinion by sacking all the heads of the country’s security agencies for their woeful performance in securing the lives and property of Nigerians.
The call, which is coming from a group of respected voices drawn from the social movement in the country, the academia and clerics, under the aegis of Concerned Nigerians, is contained in a statement released to the public on Thursday, October 22, 2020.
The group, in the statement entitled; “Our Youth and the Unfolding National Crisis: Need for Urgent Intervention,” is also nudging President Buhari to immediately address the widening trust deficit between his government and himself on the one hand, and the Nigerian youth and its people; on the other hand.
Among the 36 eminent personalities that made up the list Concerned Nigerians include Dr. Olisa Agbakoba OON (SAN), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kuka, Funke Adekoya (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), Prof. Auwalu H. Yadudu (SAN), Dr. Chris Kwaja, Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, Prof. Attahiru Muhammadu Jega (OFR), Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, Rev Prof. Koyinsola Ajayi (SAN), Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), Mr. Chino Edmund Obiagwu (SAN), Rev, Fr. George Ehusani, Comrade John Odah, Mallam Kabiru Yusuf, and Mr. Ledum Mitee.
Others are Ene Obi, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Mallam Hamza Ibrahim, Dr, Peter Ozo-Eson, Dr. Udo Jude, Prof Abubakar Sokoto Mohammed, Prof. Adele Jinadu, Prof. Pat Utomi, Prof. Assisi Asobie, Prof. Mohammed Tabiu (SAN), Comrade Salisu Nuhu Mohammed, Ms Ngozi Ewere, Ms Amina Salisu, Danlami Nmodu, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, Dr. Dipo Fashina, Ms Idayat Hassan, Prof. G. G. Darah, Prof. Rufai Alkali and and A. B. Mahmoud (OON, SAN).
Call for independent inquiry
The group also called on the President to as a matter of urgency set up an independent inquiry to investigate the circumstances that led to the massacre at Lekki Toll Gate, including allegations that CCTV cameras were removed and lights switched off to pave the way for the fatal crackdown as well as the apparent use of sponsored thugs or hoodlums by security operatives to infiltrate and break the peaceful protests.
While recommending for an independent body to oversee the prosecution of officer that would be found culpable by the inquiry, the group also called on the President to respond immediately to the demands of the youth as contained in their Charter of Demands which among others include the immediate release of all arrested protesters, justice and compensation for the families of victims.
According to the Concerned Nigerians, President Buhari should as a matter of urgency address the nation with concrete plan of implementation of the modalities and timelines for police reform and as well develop a clear work-plan for the implementation of the governance reform programmes for which well-meaning Nigerians have been demanding.
“We commend our youth who have been courageous and patriotic in their demands for the protection of their rights and for a better Nigeria. We urge that all Nigerians support these demands which have been without any ethnic or religious coloration.
“We urge the protestors to remain law abiding and patriotic and not to engage in any intimidation or harassment of ordinary citizens or engage in any form of violence. We appeal to parties and stakeholders to work for speedy resolution of the crisis.
“We strongly condemn the wanton destruction of properties, killings and maiming of innocent citizens and ethnicization by rioters and hoodlums trying to ignite a religious or ethnic conflict and call on ALL Nigerians to remain calm and avoid retaliation or taking the law into their hands,” the statement further reads.
Read the full statement by clicking: PDF: Statement By Concerned Nigerians Statement By Concerned Nigerians Microsoft Word: Statement By Concerned Nigerians
