The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), the umbrella body of the 36 State Governors have called for dialogue between the federal and State governments and the protesters to ensure that the protests are not taken over by hoodlums who may instigate breakdown in law and order in parts of the country.
Expressing worry that hoodlums have hijacked the EndSARS protests being led by Nigerian youths, the Governors, in a communiqué at the end of their virtual meeting on Sunday, condemned the attack on Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola by armed persons while he was addressing anti-police brutality protesters in the state capital Osogbo.
The communiqué, which was signed by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Governor Kayode Fayemi called for an end to the protests as continuation would expose the fragile economic fundamentals of the country.
According to them, criminal elements and hoodlums have hijacked the protests by maiming innocent citizens, looting and destroying properties.
They advised the youths “to engage with the government appropriately at both the national and state levels to ensure that the protests are not taken over by hoodlums who are instigating a breakdown in law and order in many parts of the country.”
The communiqué noted that the governors endorsed “the call by demonstrators for improved governance predicated on an enforcement regime that takes into cognizance the fundamental human rights and liberties of all citizens in the country.”
While promising to act on all the demands made by the EndSARS protesters, the state chief executives expressed “concerns with the shifting nature of the demands which creates uncertainty on the exact expectations and ultimate goal.”
They promised to activate a judicial panel of enquiry to receive all cases of police brutality by officers of the disbanded SARS unit.
“Each state is also expected to kickstart a compensation mechanism for all victims,” the governors assured.
