FG Should Own Up To Being Responsible For Violence Amid #EndSARS Protests – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has come out to urge the Presidency to come clean about the violence and looting by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protests across Nigeria.

In a recent statement signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, National Publicity Secretary, the party said it was clearly a deliberate attempt to discredit the peaceful protest by Nigerians against police brutality and extra-judicial killings by security operatives.

According to him, it is a shame that rather than owning up and apologizing over its alleged role in the violence, the FG is still trying to politicize the issue.

He added that the government distorting facts and threatening Nigerians while also pointing accusing fingers at others is a very wrong move that does not make sense.

His words, “The Buhari administration must bear the blame for the evident hijacking of the peaceful protest by armed thugs who were seen on video being conveyed in vehicles belonging to security agencies and openly coordinated to unleash violence on the streets, leading to the crisis situation of maiming, looting, arson and wanton destruction of property in the land.

Instead of pointing accusing fingers on others, the Buhari Presidency should come clean on who used security vehicles to convey and coordinate thugs as well as who deployed soldiers to Lekki Toll gate in Lagos to attack unarmed and peaceful protesters.

Our party is alarmed by the on-going clampdown and freezing of bank accounts of some Nigerians for participating in the genuine and peaceful protests against police brutality in various parts of our country.”

It is indeed distressing that the government officials could use the platform of a national television to attempt to justify such gross violation of our constitution, which can only come from an administration that thrives in bullying harmless citizens, entrenching recklessness and promoting corruption in the high place.

The freezing of accounts of genuine protesters amounts to a deliberate effort to economically asphyxiate these Nigerians and their families, for calling for good governance, respect for the rights of citizens, end to police brutality and manifest slide to lawlessness under the Buhari administration. Such action does not engender hope among citizens, especially the youth. Instead, it goes to validate widely held view that government is not ready to listen to the citizens but has already convicted the protesters.

It is even more disturbing that the government is hounding peaceful protesters while keeping silent on its alleged role in the mobilization of thugs and hoodlums who unleashed violence on Nigerians on the streets.

Moreover, it is strange to the PDP how the Federal Government can be dissipating energy in harassing unarmed and harmless citizens who merely embarked on civil protest over obvious societal ills while insurgents, marauders and bandits continue to terrorise Nigerians across our country.

Our party counsels the Federal Government to be more sensitive and immediately stop its clampdown on Nigerians especially at this critical time that our nation is in dire need of healing. The PDP however urges Nigerians, especially the youths, to remain calm despite these provocations in the overall interest of the unity, stability and good of our nation, particularly at this trying time.”