#EndSARS: The Issues That Triggered The Protests Are Being Addressed – Fayemi

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has come out to say that the recent happenings in Ekiti State have been very troubling.

He recently revealed that it has been of great concern to him and several patriotic citizens in Ekiti State.

According to him, the people of the Southwest should let peace reign in the country and stay away from the destruction of lives and property because the problems that triggered the #EndSARS protests are being addressed.

He added that he has extended the 24-hour curfew in Ekiti because he needs to watch the development over the weekend before deciding on what next to do.

His words, “The import of the protest has been largely achieved. The Federal Government has banned the SARS department in response to the five demands made by the EndSARS movement and those held in SARS detention centres have been released.”

“While calm has been restored in most parts of the State, we have decided to watch development over the weekend before deciding on next steps. It is for this reason that I have extended the 24-hour curfew on the State until 0600hrs on Monday, 26th October 2020.

“This painful action was taken in the best interest of ourselves to ensure that the crisis does not escalate since criminals enjoy mimicking violent occurrences in other places. It is my hope that we will not have cause to extend the curfew any further.

“I want to urge all our traditional institutions, religious bodies, politicians, and community leaders to use this weekend to engage the youth in their respective communities to give peace a chance. To this end, the curfew will allow an exception for Friday Jumat and Saturday and Sunday worship in churches.

“In the meantime, security agencies have been instructed to exercise judicious restraint in response to the tense situation. The intention of the Government is to ensure peace, under no condition should indiscretion responses be allowed to escalate the situation.

“I, therefore, appeal for the cooperation of our people and the security personnel who are doing a tremendous job to ensure that we live in peace.

“As for those who may still want to test the resolve of government by engaging in violent action leading to a breakdown of law and order, I urge you to think twice because I will not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law against such errant conduct.”

“Now that the President has spoken acknowledging the demands and explaining what government is doing about them. I want to thank the leadership of the protest movement in Ekiti for calling off the protest. The import of the protest has been largely achieved.

“The Federal Government has banned the SARS department in response to the five demands made by the EndSARS movement and those held in SARS detention centers have been released. In Ekiti, as in many states of the Federation, a Judicial Panel of Enquiry to look into the cases of abuses, extra-judicial acts, and general misconduct which led to the protest, has been set up.

“A restitution fund to compensate for the losses of the victims of such abuses is also established while other demands like increase in salaries of police officers are being attended to.

“I urge our youths who want nothing but a nation that serves and benefit all to show restraint in the way they pursue their demands. I fully understand and endorse the far-reaching message that the EndSARS protest articulated. It is generally a protest not just against brutality by police officers, but a wakeup call to all of us in positions of responsibility and the entire citizenry to have a new direction in the manner we handle the governance of the nation. It is a collective reminder to us that the urgency to act more decisively on how to improve a lot of our people is now.

“We must not let this seed to be emasculated in the crevice of violence that has attended the protest. This message has been well made. It is time for meaningful engagement. To this end, I am announcing the expansion of the mandate of our Youth Development Council with a view to deepening the State’s engagement with our youths and ensuring speedier implementation of the Ekiti Youth Agenda in partnership with all critical stakeholders in the youth constituency.”