As rumours of possible involvement of Nigerian soldiers in putting an end to the ongoing nationwide protests gather momentum, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams has joined other notable Nigerians in advising President Mohammadu Buhari not to use soldiers to forcefully stop the protests which have extended to more than 20 states in the country.
The Nigerian Army at the weekend announced that its personnel would as from Tuesday October 20, 2020 embark on “Operation Crocodile Smile” and Nigerians strongly suspect that the exercise is a ploy to dislodge the protesting youths from the streets.
In a press statement on Sunday, Adams said he had in a letter dispatched to the President same Sunday asked the nation’s number one citizen to enter into constructive dialogue with the protesters.
In his words “I can’t imagine soldiers being sent to stop protests. Soldiers are to fight external aggression. We are dealing with peaceful protesters. It is wrong to give the impression that Nigeria is at war with her citizens. We must do everything to promote and defend democratic culture” Adams said.
The warlord also urged the protesters to ensure the process is not hijacked by violent and recalcitrant people emphasising that “I condemn violence in all forms. I strongly condemn the actions of some security operatives that murdered the protesters. The list available to me shows 20 people have been killed across the country. I also condemn in the most profound manner the killing of any protester or the killing of any security official associated with the protests.”
He said using soldiers to quell protests by civilians has already been declared illegal by a Federal High Court in July 2020.
He reminded the President that protests have hit many countries this year and none has resorted to using soldiers to suppress the protesters.
In the letter, Adams berated the incidence of violence linked with some protesters in some states of the Federation as he contended that “the protests have largely been peaceful.”
“The resort to violence by a section of the protesters is condemnable. It is uncalled for. Violence seeks vengeance and creates wounds which scars never heal. Violence diminishes critical thinking, undermines democracy and destroys any noble
intention of the protesters. It also questions the quality of those behind the protests. On the other hand, adoption of a violent response by the state should never be considered an option, he cautioned.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo wrote “I saw clips of the attack on the convoy of the Governor of Osun State, His Excellency,Gboyega Oyetola. This is detasteful. In the same way I condemn the violent attacks on the convoy of the Governor of Ekiti State Dr Kayode Fayemi. It’s unfortunate that the incidence in Osun led to avoidable deaths”
He said the killings and violence were ill winds for the South West and Nigeria adding that such attacks might be explored by political interests to plunge the South West into a state of emergency.
He urged President Buhari to see the protest as a form of resistance against systemic failure, corruption, economic and political exclusion and above all incompetence at all levels.
He urged the President to initiate the process for the transformation of the police force to an organ driven by public interest.
“The police should not just be reformed, it should be transformed. This is the time for you to work with the National Assembly to establish state and community policing system in line with the fundamental principles of Federalism. You have a golden opportunity to do this. Go ahead and take the bull by the horn and save Nigeria from the potential of horrendous evil of a garrison state” Adams said.
OVATION Magazine publisher; Chief Dele Momodu and some other notable Nigerians have openly advised President Buhari as the Commander-in-Chief not to contemplate bringing out soldiers to quell the escalating peaceful protests as such attempt could stoke unimaginable consequences that would leave the country and its citizenry in a worse condition.
A former presidential spokesman; Dr. Doyin Okupe in his open letter to the protesting youths at the weekend, has called for dialogue between the representatives of the youths and the government with a view to addressing the seven-point agenda as demanded by the EndSARS protesters.
https://any.peopleandpowermag.com/endsars-swat-gani-adams-advises-buhari-not-to-use-soldiers-to-quash-protest/
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