HomeOpinion
Opinion

EndSARS: A plea to the protesters, By Richard Akinnola

Law & Society Magazine
By Law & Society Magazine

I make this plea as someone who has been in the different layers of the struggle for over 30 years, particularly against the military. So, I’m speaking from experience. Banger no be bullet. My position might be unpopular in a time of angst but I’m saying this with great conviction. A popular struggle is not a 100 meter dash; it’s a marathon. You fight, you pause, you engage, and you re-strategise.

This Endsars struggle has been substantially successful and l give kudos to all those that keyed into it. However, in any struggle of this nature, there is a time of reassessment, against the backdrop of the concessions made by the other side. At this stage, it is time to suspend these protests, lest all the gains made be lost. When it is suspended and say within a short period, if the government doesn’t concretely implement ABCD of the demands, we would be back on the streets. At this stage, the protesters are at an advantage to negotiate but if the government decides to use force to break the protests, all the gains would have been lost and you would be at a disadvantaged position to negotiate.

I know the hardliners would dismiss this as being cowardly or pacifist, if you have not been involved in a struggle or in incarceration, you won’t appreciate this. In one of Gani Fawehinmi’s long incarceration, an arrangement was made to release him to the late Ooni of Ife. Under normal circumstance, Gani would not accept a traditional ruler to serve as a sort of “surety” for his release but we wanted a Gani alive for the struggle than a dead Gani. Those who asked MKO Abiola not to accept a contrived conditional bail are still with their families, while Abiola’s family and businesses crumbled while he was cajoled not to accept the conditional bail. He would have been out to reassess the situation and how to fight back to reclaim his mandate.

I urge that these protests be suspended. The hardliners against the suspension would not be there when soldiers start shooting. Ask the Shiites people. I was involved in brokering the El Zackzakky bail before he was flown to India before the disagreement in India and the subsequent military action against them which l was trying to prevent. In Ebutte Metta, Lagos today, a police station attacked and you see policemen running. Somewhere in Ikeja, a policeman was stopped on a bike and he was asked to kneel down and water poured on him. There are going to be reprisals for these actions because we can’t be acting like the SARS people that we fight. Anarchy is setting in.

Guys, let reason prevail. This is not cowardly but wisdom so that we can hold on to the gains made in this protest. It is easy to stay on the social media and egg people on. I have been in trenches all my years. I have been to police, SSS and DMI detentions. I have faced bullets. So, I’m not a coward but wisdom, with the benefit of hindsight ought to teach one when to advance and when to retreat.

May God guide us right.

@Richard Akinnola

•Source: Facebook

Previous article
Breaking: #EndSARS protest taking fearful colouration in Abuja as cars burnt, reprisal attacks on; Lagos shuts schools
Next article
15 persons killed in EndSARS protest, says Amnesty International
Law & Society Magazine
Law & Society Magazinehttps://lawandsocietymagazine.com

Related Articles

99 COMMENTS

  1. Hi! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after browsing through some of the articles
    I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely pleased I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and
    checking back regularly!

    My webpage … Palma

  16. Undeniably believe that that you said. Your favorite reason seemed to
    be on the internet the simplest factor to take note of.
    I say to you, I definitely get annoyed at the same time as other folks consider worries that they just do not realize
    about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest as well
    as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects
    , other people can take a signal. Will probably be again to get more.
    Thank you

    Stop by my webpage; http://board.scadminpanel.de/member.php?action=profile&uid=233770

  17. Whats up are using WordPress for your blog platform?
    I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and
    set up my own. Do you require any coding expertise
    to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!

    My site; itw99.com

  18. We are a group of volunteers and starting a
    new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with valuable information to work
    on. You’ve done a formidable job and our entire community will be grateful to you.

    my blog; discuss

  21. I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of your site?

    Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But
    maybe you could a little more in the way of content
    so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two pictures.
    Maybe you could space it out better?

    Review my blog – read more..

  31. Appreciating the time and effort you put into your site and detailed information you provide.
    It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed information. Wonderful read!
    I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my
    Google account.

    Look into my website – nutshellurl.com

  43. You are so cool! I don’t believe I have read
    a single thing like that before. So wonderful to find another
    person with some original thoughts on this subject matter.
    Really.. many thanks for starting this up.

    This website is one thing that is required on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!

    My website :: halo.wielun.pl

  47. I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post’s
    to be just what I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to
    write content to suit your needs? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on many of the
    subjects you write with regards to here.
    Again, awesome blog!

    my blog post; q2ansbd.xyz

  61. I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website
    yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to design my own blog and
    would like to find out where u got this from.
    thank you

    Feel free to surf to my webpage; cool marvel costumes

  63. Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the internet the easiest
    thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people consider
    worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the
    nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing
    without having side-effects , people could take
    a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

    Feel free to visit my web site; idea.informer.com

  67. Hello this is kinda of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code
    with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding experience so I wanted
    to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would
    be enormously appreciated!

    Check out my site … is.gd

  68. First off I want to say awesome blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you do not
    mind. I was curious to find out how you center
    yourself and clear your mind before writing. I have had a hard time
    clearing my mind in getting my ideas out there.
    I truly do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend
    to be wasted simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or
    hints? Thank you!

    Review my web blog; https://files.fm/f/c8u4ea7vk

  69. I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get bought an impatience over that
    you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case
    you shield this increase.

    Here is my web page :: http://www.blurb.com

  77. hey there and thank you for your information –
    I’ve definitely picked up something new from right here.
    I did however expertise some technical points using this website, since I experienced to
    reload the website a lot of times previous to I could get it
    to load properly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK?
    Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and could damage your high-quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.
    Anyway I am adding this RSS to my email and could look out for a lot
    more of your respective intriguing content. Make sure
    you update this again soon.

    my web-site – http://www.4kquan.com/space-uid-1010453.html

  78. I’m really loving the theme/design of your web
    site. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues?

    A few of my blog audience have complained about my site not operating
    correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any solutions to help
    fix this problem?

    Feel free to visit my web blog: divulgaaqui.online

  89. May I just say what a relief to discover an individual who truly knows what they’re talking about over the internet.

    You certainly realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important.
    A lot more people must read this and understand this side of your
    story. It’s surprising you aren’t more popular because you surely have the gift.

    My webpage: phonographic.science

  93. Having read this I thought it was extremely informative. I appreciate you
    finding the time and energy to put this content together.

    I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments.

    But so what, it was still worthwhile!

    Take a look at my web page: writeablog.net

  95. Excellent post. I used to be checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed!
    Extremely helpful info particularly the closing part :
    ) I maintain such information much. I was looking for this
    certain information for a very lengthy time.
    Thanks and good luck.

    Feel free to visit my web site – community.windy.com

  97. Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this website.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appeal.
    I must say you have done a awesome job with this.
    In addition, the blog loads very fast for me on Chrome.
    Outstanding Blog!

    My web site :: best cosplay costumes

  98. Does your site have a contact page? I’m having a tough time
    locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email.
    I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing.

    Either way, great website and I look forward
    to seeing it grow over time.

    Have a look at my web-site: Mona

Stay Connected.

1,169,000FansLike
34,567FollowersFollow
1,401,000FollowersFollow
0SubscribersSubscribe
- Advertisement -

Latest Articles

Load more

Law & Society Magazine is a general interest magazine with a bias for law and its effects on the society

Contact us: [email protected]

© 2025 Copyright - Law & Society Magazine

MORE STORIES

Firming Up The Civil Service For Democratic Governance 

Of Lies, Lai Mohammed And CNN