Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to restrain the military and other security forces from using brute force to quell protests.
Obasanjo disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘Statement on Violence Against Protesters In Nigeria: An Appeal for Calm’ issued on Wednesday.
According to him, it was obvious that President Buhari and his lieutenants didn’t exhaust all avenues before deploying soldiers.
He said history had shown that killing protesters only worsens the crisis and makes dialogue impossible.
He said,
Quote
“The shooting and murder of unarmed protesters, no matter the level of provocation, has never been effective in suppressing public anger and frustration. Instead, such actions only reinforce the anger and frustration of the populace and close the window of dialogue and peaceful resolution.
“It is clear that Mr President and his lieutenants did not exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to the use of force.”
“It is clear that Mr President and his lieutenants did not exhaust the opportunities for dialogue with the protesters before resorting to the use of force.”
Obasanjo said it was worse that despite overwhelming evidence, the authorities were still denying ever killing protesters.
He, therefore, called on the President to take swift action before things spiral out of control.
The former President stated,
Quote
“It is worse that there is a denial of wrongdoing in spite of overwhelming visual evidence. Great harm has been done but it can be stopped before it completely spirals out of control.
“We are at a critical moment in this crisis and the President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership at such.”
He said most of the demands made by the #EndSARS protesters, which had been conveyed to the President by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State were not unrealistic.
The former President said, “It is imperative that leaders at all levels, starting with Mr President, must demonstrate meekness, humanity and sincerity in meeting the legitimate demands of the protesters and ensuring that justice is served where it must be served. These are the potent ways of ending this crisis now.”
“We are at a critical moment in this crisis and the President must act now before it is too late. This time demands leadership and mature leadership at such.”
He said most of the demands made by the #EndSARS protesters, which had been conveyed to the President by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State were not unrealistic.
The former President said, “It is imperative that leaders at all levels, starting with Mr President, must demonstrate meekness, humanity and sincerity in meeting the legitimate demands of the protesters and ensuring that justice is served where it must be served. These are the potent ways of ending this crisis now.”
However, the former President also called on the youths to give peace a chance, adding that the destruction and looting must stop.
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