Tobias Sylvester
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has volunteered to become the leader of the ongoing nationwide protest against the extrajudicial activities of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
KanyiDaily had reported that there is an ongoing #EndSARS protest across the country against the SARS tactical unit of the Nigerian Police Force over its brutality, illegal arrest, extortion, extra-judicial killings, among others.
Speaking on Africa Independent Television (AIT) on Monday night, October 19, 2020, Bello said said he volunteers to be the leader of #EndSARS protest who will push down all they are demanding and make sure it is met.
Governor Bello also expressed interest in leading the #EndSARS protesters to meet President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on October 24th.
The governor called on Nigerian youths to end the ongoing protests and enter a roundtable dialogue with government in addressing their various demands.
According to him, it would be difficult for governments to know who to interface with, in resolving some of the issues if there were no leaders, adding that opportunists could hijack the gains of the protests.
“In like manner, the real leaders and spokespersons of these protests must also begin to ‘show face’ now to enable government at all levels know who to interface with.
“We cannot even appoint people into the various bodies being set up to address your demands without being afraid that opportunists who have no credibility with you are high-jacking it.
“May I therefore request that the protesters give us people to engage with, especially on the timeliest schedules for calling it a day which accommodates all reasonable demands”, he said.
The governor warned that notwithstanding the discontent and grievances being expressed by Nigerians, they must resist the temptation of using the current situation to seek an undemocratic change in leadership.
“It goes without saying that despite different levels of dissatisfaction with the status quo in our country among the citizenry, it is unwise to think that a change of leadership other than by clear-cut democratic means will be tolerated by citizens.
“Those interested in Mr. President’s seat must wait for 2023 and when it is finally up for grabs, they must present themselves to the Nigerian electorate, duly nominated as flagbearers for any party of their choice. It is as simple as that. Ditto for any other duly elected seat or office”, he said.
Bello said there have been calls on Kogi youths in Kogi to engage in more protests, adding that while he’s not against peaceful protests in the state, he however advised youths against blocking major highways which could cause hardships to the citizens.
Meanwhile, National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu has appealed to has appealed to Nigerian youths to call off their #EndSARS protest and give peace a chance.
