ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), a Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation on End SARS Protest before it is too late.
The Country Director of AAN, Ene Obi who made the call in a press statement made available to newsmen, said her Organisation has been following the unfolding events amidst the agitations by the citizens.
She noted that the protest has moved from being a social media campaign to a peaceful protest by Nigerians across the globe in the last 13 days, with clear demands on the abolition of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad accused of unlawful arrests, torture, and extra-judicial killings.
READ ALSO: #EndSARS: As A Father, Show Understanding To Youths’ Plight, Obasanjo To Buhari
According to her, ActionAid Nigeria has observed that the peaceful protest is gaining more momentum across the country, with young people airing their grievances on rights violations and the need for an overhaul of the country’s security and governance architecture.
“However, the latest twist and turns in the ongoing protest, specifically the pockets of hijacks by unknown elements with unending attacks on peaceful protesters; the attack on the governor of Osun State; the loss of lives and property of protesters and innocent citizens; and most recently, the prison break, and destruction of government properties in Edo State, the multitude of cars burnt in Apo, Abuja, calls for concern and swift action before the situation degenerates into full swing anarchy.
“ActionAid Nigeria therefore calls on President Muhammadu Buhari, to fully address the nation in a national broadcast as a Father, Leader, and the President of Nigeria, with the mandate of the people to manage the affairs of the country and give clear-cut responses to the demands of the protesters before it is too late.
“Nigerians anticipate clear plans, timelines, and commitments, which will be in form of a pact with the citizens. The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, should see this as an opportunity to write his name in the sands of time by starting the process of transforming this country especially by responding to the demands of citizens,” she said.
ActionAid Nigeria also called on security agencies to keep securing the streets to get unscrupulous elements with illegitimate interests off the peaceful protests, while respecting the rights of peaceful protesters.
She further applauded the resolve of Nigerian youths leading the revival across the country
hold government to account just as she urged them to maintain the decorum while resisting any calculated attempts by unknown elements to disrupt the just cause for total reformation of the country.
