By Temidayo Akinsuyi
LAGOS – The seeming indifference of President Muhammadu Buhari to the ongoing #EndSARS protests across which has taken a violent dimension in some parts of the state, especially in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is beginning to give Nigerians a source of concern.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state and his counterpart in Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu were forced to declare 24 hours curfew in their respective states after the protests were hijacked by hoodlums who attacked police stations, looted shops and even set free some inmates at the Correctional Centre (Prison) in Benin.
The President on Monday said he recognises the democratic rights of the Nigerian youth to peaceful protests, urging them to beware of anarchists who may hijack their gatherings for selfish motives.
Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, who briefed journalists at the State House, Abuja, on Monday after a meeting with the President, quoted Buhari to have advised the youths to always be on the alert so that miscreants would not take advantage of their genuine intention.
“Firstly he said, he recognises their democratic rights to protest. Secondly, he made an appeal that this protest wherever held, should be done in a peaceful manner. And thirdly, he said the Nigerian youth should be on their guard to make sure that elements that would infiltrate and distract them from the very purpose of their protest should be prevented from doing so,’’ he said.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo last week apologised to Nigerians and admits the Federal Government could have “moved faster” in addressing the demands of #EndSARS protesters.
