Nigerian disc jockey, Obianuju Udeh popularly known as DJ Switch has sounded out a rallying call to Nigerian youths in light of a possible second wave of #ENDSARS protests.
The DJ gained nationwide popularity after she filmed the shooting of protesters at Lekki toll gate on October 20. She has since fled the country alleging threats to her life from the Nigerian military.
She has now in a new video called on the Nigerian youth to continue lending their voices to the #EndSARS campaign or risk being killed by poverty, insecurity and other challenges in the country.
The #EndSARS protest, which was earlier halted after it was hijacked by hoodlums, had started to gain momentum with the issue among top Twitter trends in Nigeria since Monday.
The gifted DJ said while backing the movement could be challenging, remaining silent would amount to resigning to continue enduring the situation of things in the country.
“We’re up against people that have all the power, money, resources and control all the security arms. It’s like being thrown into a gunfight with a stick. How do you win a fight like that, so yes, it’s very demoralising…,” she said.
“I get it so we switched off. But please allow me to remind you of the people who cannot switch it off. Those who can never again think of how to make their daily breads. The real heroes that died for you and me.
“Look, there are two options as l see it. One l like to call the short term option and the second l call the long term option. Mind you both options have the same outcome. Short term option, we go out there, screaming at the top of our voices demanding change, we want our country back, standing on our constitutional rights and knowing the government we have, they just waste all of us in the end.
“The second long-term option, we do nothing, we still die, maybe one by one but we will still die off either from poverty, a very poor health sector and security personnels.”
Buttressing her point, Switch said the need to speak out has become imperative because the masses are always the worst hit by hardships in Nigeria.
“Let me tell you something that might be difficult for you to swallow: you and l are most likely to die before these our leaders. With all the money that they’ve stolen, these leaders have access to the best medical care, but what can you and l brag of? People die in hospitals because there’s no proper medical attention,” she added.
“In terms of security, our leaders are also well guarded by the police and even the army. Before armed robbers go to our leaders, they come to us first, who do we have guiding us. These people have peace of mind and they sleep well in their air-conditioned homes.
“So, pick one, long term or short term because it’s the same outcome. Nobody should be forced to do anything. Everyone is trying to stay alive so it’s understandable. But please, these people have all the power and resources, but we only have one power which is our voice and we must use it in whatever capacity that we can.
“When we don’t see #EndSARS on the Twitter trends or talk about it, the people that are trying to help us will think maybe nothing is really happening.
“Maybe government has given in to the demands of the people. I can assure you that there are people fighting for us. You can take my words to the bank, people are fighting for us, let us help them, let us be part of the solution.”
Watch the video below; https://www.youtube.com/embed/TqdWEyAKQsY?autoplay=1&controls=1
On the said night of Tuesday, October 20, the DJ who was present at the toll-gate had taken to her Instagram Live where she revealed that men of the Nigerian Army had opened fire on peaceful protesters gathered there.
Recall that the #EndSARS protests started as a campaign against misconducts of the now-disbanded special anti-robbery squad (SARS) and expanded focus to overall police reform.
The renewed call began on Saturday, October 3, 2020, following unconfirmed reports that men of SARS shot a boy in Ughelli town of Delta States and made away with his SUV.
