The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has appealed to #EndSARS protesters demonstrating against police brutality and extrajudicial killings to call off the protests and give peace a chance.

This was contained in a statement on Monday night titled; ‘#EndSARS Protests – The Remedy For National Maladies Is More, Not Less, Democracy’.

Tinubu said there is no way any society can make meaningful progress without the enthronement of these values and the demands for fundamental police reforms by the protesting youths are in pursuit of the country’s aspiration in the national anthem.

He then pleaded that the government is given the chance to implement the reforms demanded by the protesters.

The statement reads: “For the past twelve days, our country has witnessed massive protests by youths in different cities, which were ignited by widespread disenchantment with the gross human rights abuses including torture, extortion, harassment, intimidation and even extra-judicial killings of Nigerians by members of the disbanded Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS). The demands for fundamental police reforms by the protesting youths are in pursuit of our aspiration in our national anthem “to build a nation where peace and justice shall reign”. Justice as one of our greatest writers has memorably noted is “the first condition of humanity”. A society where those who are paid from the public purse to protect the lives and property of the people become themselves threats to the liberty, safety and dignity of the people; where human life is difficult to distinguish from Thomas Hobbes ‘State of Nature – ‘solitary, poor, nasty and brutish’ is not one fit for free and decent people to live in. Such impunity and lawlessness are incompatible with the values and tenets of a democratic society governed by the supremacy of the rule of law”.

The former President of Nigeria, President Olusegun Obasanjo has attributed the EndSARS Protest as an agitation that needs urgent attention from President Buhari.

Obasanjo made this statement known yesterday during his courtesy visit to Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi Ojaja II at his Palace in Ile-Ife.

Earlier in his speech, former President Obasanjo explained that the #EndSARS protest is a product of an extensive agitation of the Nigerian youths that needed to be attended to by the government.

“Over 65 percent of our population are under the age of 35 who look up to the best in life who struggle for education, some of them didn’t even get educated while those who are educated get frustrated because of lack of opportunities. We must realize that the lid on the boiling steam would have to be removed.

“But I believe that there are windows of opportunity which the government can explore to show that it cares about the people, especially the youths welfare as the father of the country particularly as the father of the youths.

“Fortunately by experience, the president has children and he knows how youths behave. I believe that the opportunities can still be taken to let the youths know that he as a father understands their plight and his government understands their plight and he is ready to make life better for them.” Chief Obasanjo said.

On the attack on Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s convoy by some suspected political thugs at the venue of an #EndSARS protest in Osogbo, Obasanjo joined Ooni who is the permanent Chairman of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers, in describing the incident as unfortunate.

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Monday played host to former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at his Ile Oodua Palace, Ile-Ife, during which he appealed to the youths calling for the cancelation of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police to retreat.

Ooni Ogunwusi who described the #EndSARS struggle as Nigerian youths clear message to the government, particularly about their ability to get things done in a coordinated manner, urged the youths to allow the government to fully attend to their yearnings.

“If you look at the #EndSars protest, you will see that our youths have what it takes to rule the country. Since day one, they have shown leadership, accountability and huge sense of responsibility which have sent a clear message to the government.

“As a youth leader myself, I am proud that we all have communicated our ideas and it is heartwarming that we have been heard.

“Dear youths, it is time to retreat particularly to prevent those with ulterior motives from hijacking the peaceful message of peace. The whole world is aware of our peaceful conduct and we must not let some bad elements tarnish this enviable integrity.

“Once again, I wish to urge our youths to stop the protest for now and give peace a chance. This would disallow the government from using force.” Ooni admonished.

Earlier in his speech, former President Obasanjo explained that the #EndSARS protest is a product of an extensive agitation of the Nigerian youths that needed to be attended to by the government.

“Over 65 percent of our population are under the age of 35 who look up to the best in life who struggle for education, some of them didn’t even get educated while those who are educated get frustrated because of lack of opportunities. We must realize that the lid on the boiling steam would have to be removed.

“But I believe that there are windows of opportunity which the government can explore to show that it cares about the people, especially the youths welfare as the father of the country particularly as the father of the youths.

“Fortunately by experience, the president has children and he knows how youths behave. I believe that the opportunities can still be taken to let the youths know that he as a father understands their plight and his government understands their plight and he is ready to make life better for them.” Chief Obasanjo said.

On the attack on Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s convoy by some suspected political thugs at the venue of an #EndSARS protest in Osogbo, the Ooni who is the permanent Chairman of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers, described the incidence as unfortunate.

“It is sad and we cannot but condemn it as it is against the ethos of Omoluabi which we portray in Osun.

“Similarly, I want to commend Mr. Governor for his maturity in handling the sensitive issue despite all provocation. It shows him as a father that he is, may God continue to protect him.” The Ooni said.

The Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola has said the #EndSARS protest was peaceful while he was addressing the protesters before the armed thugs hired by some people later came and turned the protest ground to a theatre of war in their bid to assassinate him.

The statement was made known today by the Chief Press Secretary to Osun State Government, Oyebamiji via his official Twitter handle which reads in part:

“The report as can be seen from the pictures, the environment was calm and peaceful before some hoodlums who were obviously on a mission to assassinate Governor Oyetola hijacked the protest.

“The protesters welcomed governor Gboyega Oyetola and the environment was peaceful and we suddenly heard sporadic gunshots from unknown destination and later saw some hoodlums brandishing weapons in their bid to advance to our side to carryout their dastardly act.

“Contrary to the report that two people were killed in the spot, nobody was killed but we heard two people died as a result of accident that occured 5km far to the protest ground”.

The Ogun State Government has set up committees on Victim Support Fund and Judicial Panel of Investigation among others.

This was contained in a statement released today by Ogun State Governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun via his official Twitter handle which reads in part:

“Impressive results have emerged from our #EndPoliceBrutality agitations following the resolutions of the virtual National Economic Council, NEC meeting held yesterday.

“Ogun State will be setting up one each of a support fund, panel, committee, and office.

“The first, Victim Support Fund, will enable monetary compensation to deserving victims of Police brutality from the now allocated, start-up 50million Naira.

“The panel, Judicial Panel of Investigation, to be chaired by Hon. Justice Solomon Olugbemi (Rtd) with members from Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, youth and student populations, Human Right Commission, NHRC, State Attorney General’s Office and retired Police league, will act upon complaints of Police brutality.

“The Special Security and Human Rights Committee, which I will chair, will monitor the conduct and excesses of any special or tactical unit that may be set up in Ogun State by the Nigeria Police, with membership of the heads of such a unit and other security agencies, youths, and CSOs.

“The Human Rights Complaints Office, with Mr Joseph Ogunniyi, Esq as Chairman, will facilitate easy access of complainants to assistance via modern technology channels, and give regular reports to the Special Security and Human Rights Committee for action.

“While we are setting up, in addition to these, a Forensics Laboratory to aid crime investigation, we will provide the Ogun State Human Rights Complaints Reporting Portal, via which Ogun State citizens can upload documentary, video or audio evidence of abuse.

“This transformation will make a significant difference, and this Administration will not relent in representing the interests of the people who voted her in.

“I therefore call on all protesters to bring an end to the demonstrations, while the joint initiatives of the Federal and Ogun State Governments are implemented for practical change”.

President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and his entire family over the passing of their mother, Mrs Abigail Makinde.

This was contained in a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Femi Adesina which reads in part:

“The President sends condolences to friends, family and associates of the matriarch, whose testimony of love and kind heartedness continues to be shared, particularly her warmth to the poor and less privileged.
“President Buhari urges friends and family members to find solace in the good works of the governor’s mother, who invested heavily in fear of God, love and hard work, and ensured her children and grandchildren followed same training of diligence, discipline and charity.
The President prays the Almighty God will receive the soul of the departed, and comfort the family.