By Emma Ogbuehi
Two days after the #ENDSARS# protests by the youths went awry, President Muhammadu Buhari, in what many regard as a belated broadcast, eventually addressed the nation, vowing that the administration would not tolerate the antics of criminals bent on hijacking the protests for odious reasons. He acknowledged the constitutional rights of Nigerians to embark on demonstration, stressing however, “I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well – intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)”.
He expressed regrets over the lives lost while the protests turned sour, stressing that the tragedies were uncalled for.
The President warned against spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that that government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens, saying it is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.
He listed the poverty alleviation efforts of the government, boasting, “No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done”.
Buhari reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving the unity of the country, assuring that his administration will continue to improve good governance and the democratic process, including through sustained engagement. “We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected”, he stated.
He however reminded Nigerians that the government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence. He appealed to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating the country’s democracy. Doing the contrary, he said, will amount to undermining national security and the law, stressing that under no circumstances would that be tolerated.
He called on the youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. To them, he declared, “Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding”.