The appalling show of shame by the government on their reaction to the #EndSars report, by Chief Patrick Eholor
On the promise by the government to look into the petition by the Nigerian youths that led to the #EndSars demonstrations, the Lagos state government took the lead and set up a tribunal to examine the matter seriously without bias and came out with a truthful report that will heal the wounds and fashion a way foward to avoid a repeat of such an ugly incident.
Police brutality was the chief anchor by Nigerian youths to portray their anger about misgovernance by the successive leaders. A lot have been done wrongly in positioning the youths for the challenges ahead. The youths became disillusioned for the fear that their future are being compromised. They took to the street to send a message that enough is enough. They became fearless and lost the taste of life. Is life worth living when there is no future to hold on to? The #EndSars became a demonstration of hopelessness.
The handling of the youth protest was high handed by the government security forces. What started as a well organized peaceful protest cynically turned to violence because of government failures and insensitivity. Peaceful protesters where labelled criminals and government securities turned to the use of force to intimidate and suppress Nigerian youths. A lot of killings took place by the authorities resulting in breakdown of law and order.
Nigeria was in chaos for the duration. Loss of lives and properties was experienced all over the country. The most striking incident was the killing of peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate by the army. The report of this incident by the army authorities have been filled with lies and half truths. The big question is who gave the commanding order to effect such a heartless horror? There is a military command chain that such an order must come from above in the military ranking order. Till this moment no high officer has owned up to such responsibility. It’s pulsating and cruel to effect such a damage on the youths of Nigeria. And so many other atrocities in the handling of the protest committed by the security forces.
The setting up of the tribunal was an opportunity to showcase the truth. Conscience is an open wound, lying about the truth can heal it. The tribunals had a tough task ahead. Justice was expected to prevail not truncated. Most of the tribunals in various state bulged to the pressure by the government and denied the Nigeria youths justice. There are still honest Nigerians. The members of Lagos state tribunal exemplified such. They were exceptional and said the truth in their report by indicting the government appropriately.
Justice Adegboruwa’s panel are the new face of Nigeria. They withered the storm and reported things the way it happened regardless of who was indicted. The government was indicted by the upright panel against all odds.There is hope for Nigeria if we can build on it. The apparent show of shame in response to this indictment is a sorry state.The truth hurts but it heals in the long last.
For Lai Mohammed and Festus Keyamo to have shamelessly exhibited their low class by denying and bending the truth calls for serious examination of their mental state. To heal the wounds of the endsars protest, the government must accept the truth in this tribunal report and act accordingly. The human rights activists, civil societies and all stakeholders must rise to the occasion and say no to injustice. Advocacy groups have a lot of work on their desks. Government should stop living in denial and own up their mistakes.That,s leadership. For activists that have responded positively to this challenge I say much kudos. There is hope for a new Nigeria. One love.
Chief Patrick Osagie Eholor is the Global President of One Love Foundation.
