Stakeholders in Benue state have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to apologize for failing to condole with families of youths who lost their lives during the EndSARS protests across the country.
The stakeholders made this demand during the presidential press briefing organized in Government House in Makurdi to discuss the security situation across the nation.
The Next Edition recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed his ministers to relocate to their home states to douse tension created by the ENDSARS protests and to meet with stakeholders to explain federal government’s efforts to meet the demands of the youths.
Speaking at the meeting which lasted for about five hours, stakeholders said the youths had staged peaceful protests for more than 10 days and no one tried to address them only to be shot at and killed by those who were suppose to protect them.
They noted with displeasure that when the President decided to speak, he never deemed it fit to sympathize with those who lost loved ones, an act they described as insensitive.
They, however, commended the proactive nature and maturity deployed by Governor Samuel Ortom in ensuring that youths in the state did not engage in violence, looting and destruction of public and private properties while the protests lasted.
Addressing the stakeholders, Gov. Ortom described the security situation in the country as very disturbing, saying he has had sleepless nights trying to persuade the youths to stay out of violence no matter the provocation.
Ortom who noted that the anger of the youths are stemmed from accumulation of anger over the years of neglect and inability of Nigerian leaders to salvage the youths out of the streets, however, expressed belief that “this is the time to sheath the sword no matter our difference.
“What is happening is very scary and every concerned person should contribute to put the situation under control. This is the time leaders must engage the youths leaving no gap, otherwise, the situation may consume both the leaders and the led,” he said.
He further appealed to leaders across the nation to lay aside their political differences and tackle the issue at hand to ensure a country that will be safe for all.
The Minister for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume told stakeholders that he was sent by President Buhari to bring a message of peace and reconciliation.
The Minister who represented President Buhari, acknowledged that even though EndSARS protests started well, it derailed in its functions when it began engage in extrajudicial killings.
He stated that the President started addressing the agitations by disbanding SARS in addition to implementation of various interventions meant to better the lives of Nigerian youths.
He noted that the founding leaders ensured no blood was shed to lead Nigeria to independence saying President Buhari believes in the sanctity of human life and has been doing his best to protect lives and properties
Senator Akume who stated that there no need to break a Warehouse like is being witnessed in other states appealed to the youths to sheath their swords saying “we gain more by engaging ourselves and not to destroy properties.
“No matter your grievances channel it to the appropriate quarters peacefully.”
The Minister appreciated the Benue youths and government of Benue for their maturity in handling the protest in the state.
Also speaking, the Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh James Ayatse observed that if the intervention by the federal government had touched the lives of the people, there would have been changes and the present ugly situation would have been averted.
The Tor Tiv appealed to President Buhari to look at his intervention and ensure that actual implementation was done.
He appealed to youths in the state to employ restraint and allow government to address the issues they have laid on the table.
Speaking on behalf of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the founder of Jireh-Doo Foundation, Josephine Habba called on President Buhari to tender an unreserved apology to families of youths that were killed during the EndSARS protests.
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Habba stated that if the President had responded promptly to the demands of the youths, lives wouldn’t have been lost.
The activist who observed that the EndSARS has shown that youths cannot obtain justice in the law courts but, on the streets, cautioned that if nothing is done to address the agitations by the youth, the CSOs will join the youths on the streets.
In his remarks, Wantaregh Paul Unongo who noted that he was at the meeting to encourage the governor, urged him not to relent in his efforts.
He also urged the leaders to give listening ears to issues raised by the youths, adding the President may have laudable programmes, but the implementation is late and should be more proactive.
Other speakers at the meeting, Senator Barnabas Gemade, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abba Yaro, Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Mr. John Ngbede and a youth Activist, Dave Ogbole, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Akpen Leva, all described the meeting as a welcome development.
They commended the state governor for not allowing the protests in the state to degenerate like in other states, as well as parents for controlling their wards, urging them to keep up the good works.
